Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Controlling GHG emissions from the transportation sector through an ETS: institutional arrangements in Shenzhen, China

Many different approaches are needed to achieve reductions in GHG emissions from the transportation sector. Carbon emissions trading schemes (ETSs) are widely used in industry and are effective in reducing the overall social cost of emissions abatement. This article reports the development of a downstream ETS for the transportation sector and its application in Shenzhen, China. The ETS was devised as a mandatory cap-and-trade scheme and, as a first step, was applied to public transportation. An integrated cap was set on the total emissions from buses and taxis: an absolute cap for existing vehicles and a relative increment for new entrants. Allowances were allocated by grandfathering or benchmarking and a ‘reverse mechanism’ was established to encourage the transformation of urban transportation to a low-carbon system. Online fuel consumption monitoring was used to quantify the emissions from vehicles, and the operators were required to surrender enough allowances or credits to account for their verified annual emissions. The mechanisms for allowance trading and carbon offsets provided sufficient flexibility to make emissions abatement and the use of new-energy vehicles and environmentally friendly travel within Shenzhen's urban transportation system economically attractive. Policy relevance The transportation sector is becoming a major contributor to the growth in China's GHG emissions. Achieving large reductions in GHG emissions from the transportation sector is a great challenge and requires both technology and policy innovation. The tradable carbon permit is a popular concept in mitigating climate change, but the introduction of a cap-and-trade ETS into the transportation sector is a relatively innovative concept. Shenzhen has launched the first cap-and-trade ETS in a developing country and is currently exploring ways to mitigate carbon emissions by a downstream cap-and-trade ETS for the transportation sector. This article considers the main institutional arrangements and regulatory framework of Shenzhen's transportation carbon ETS. It not only refreshes the theoretical analysis and practical application of downstream cap-and-trade carbon emissions trading in urban transportation, but also provides developing countries with a cost-effective instrument to mitigate their rapid growth in traffic carbon emissions during urbanization.
Designing interface and integration framework for multi-channels intelligent surveillance system

This paper addresses design and implementation of a multi-channels intelligent surveillance system (ISS). The system is developed for handling multiple source data from four different camera networks. It processes the incoming frames simultaneously using a multi-threading strategy and automatically detect any suspicious event on the monitoring area. Different with the existing commercial systems, the ISS covers several different surveillance tasks in ensuring a public safety such as unattended object detection, fire and smoke detection, human detection and tracking, sterile zone monitoring, and illegally parked vehicle detection. Each individual task is implemented separately using advanced image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. The system combines these all surveillance tasks considering not only a high accuracy, but also a fast processing time.
The Dilemmas of Internationalization: Corporate Social Responsibility in the Multinational Corporation

We add to the global–local debate by highlighting concerns with the empirical and conceptual validity of the construct ‘integrated’ as it operates within corporate social responsibility (CSR). We do so by investigating the extent to which foreign national culture and related local issues are incorporated into the CSR policy of 37 multinational corporations, examining strategy development and implementation across global locations. This research suggests that integrated internationalization strategies do not resolve global and local CSR issues. In fact, they reinforce outcomes similar to global strategies, where core issues identified by headquarters are legitimated and local issues are marginalized, an outcome that appears somewhat at odds with the spirit of local responsiveness embedded in CSR thinking.
Valuing Convertible Bonds with Credit Risk

onvertible bonds (CBs) are corporate debt securities that give the holder the right to forgo C future coupon and/or principal payments and receive (i.e., convert to) a prespecified number of shares of common stock instead. In principle, a CB is a hybrid security consisting of a straight bond and a call on the underlying equity, but various terms of realistic CBs make it impossible to decouple the stock option from the bond part. Conditions such as the possibility of early conversion, callabdity by the issuer, putabhty by the holder, and special provisions on accrued interest upon early termination introduce extra optionality that depends on both the equity and the furedincome parts of a CB. Thus, in general, CBs can be accurately valued only by simultaneous pricing of the equity andfixed-income parts. In other words, CBs should be viewed and valued as derivatives of the underlying equity and interest rates. To that end, a twofactor Black-Scholes model, whch accounts for equity and interest rate optionality, is the usual choice. An important implication in CB pricing comes from the fact that the value of a CB has components of different default risks. For example, if the underlying equity is that of the issuer as is usually the case the equity upside has zero default risk since the issuer can always deliver its own stock. On the other hand, coupon and principal payments and any put provisions allowing the holder to put the CB back to the issuer for a prespecified amount of cash depend on the issuer’s timely access to the required cash amounts, and thus introduce credit risk. Whde the Black-Scholes model can account for crel t risk by simply using a credit spread in hscounting the derivative’s value in time, t h s approach is not valid in the case of a CB because only a part of the CB’s value is exposed to default risk the part that is related to future payments in cash and that part is not known in advance. In fact, the future cash flows of the CB depend on the possibihty of early termination of the CB due to conversion, call, or put, whch actions, in turn, are contingent on the random behavior of the underlying stock and interest rates. Various approaches have been proposed to account for cre&t risk in CB pricing. Detailed valuation approaches, as reviewed by Nyborg [1996], use the total value of the firm as a stochastic variable and account for the debt obligations of the issuer in defining the random behavior of the firm value. While such approaches are self-consistent in that they address the firm’s capital structure, they involve many parameters and can be impractical for use at a tralng desk; e.g. they involve the volathty of the firm’s value instead of the underlying equity. On the other hand, practitioners usually account for cre&t risk in CBs by introducing an effective credit spread in regular
Empirical potential for hydrocarbons for use in simulating the chemical vapor deposition of diamond films.

An empirical many-body potential-energy expression is developed for hydrocarbons that can model intramolecular chemical bonding in a variety of small hydrocarbon molecules as well as graphite and diamond lattices. The potential function is based on Tersoff's covalent-bonding formalism with additional terms that correct for an inherent overbinding of radicals and that include nonlocal effects. Atomization energies for a wide range of hydrocarbon molecules predicted by the potential compare well to experimental values. The potential correctly predicts that the \ensuremath{\pi}-bonded chain reconstruction is the most stable reconstruction on the diamond {111} surface, and that hydrogen adsorption on a bulk-terminated surface is more stable than the reconstruction. Predicted energetics for the dimer reconstructed diamond {100} surface as well as hydrogen abstraction and chemisorption of small molecules on the diamond {111} surface are also given. The potential function is short ranged and quickly evaluated so it should be very useful for large-scale molecular-dynamics simulations of reacting hydrocarbon molecules.
Strategic behavior and market power of aggregators in energy demand networks

This paper considers optimization problems of energy demand networks including aggregators and investigates strategic behavior of the aggregators. The energy demand network including aggregators will be optimized through pricing. Under this optimization process, the aggregator acts as intermediate between energy supply sources and a large number of consumers and is expected to moderate tasks to solve a large scale optimization problem. We propose an optimization process that uses information exchange or aggregation by the aggregators, which is actually an intermediate model of the well-known two extremal models. From the consumer's point of view, the aggregator is expected to have enough negotiation power on behalf of the consumers. This will be a main theme of this paper and we investigate strategic behavior of the aggregators. We suppose that the aggregator will try to pursue the benefit as well as market power by choosing the design parameter in its cost function. The strategic decision making by the aggregators could provide useful insights in qualitative analysis of the energy demand network, and the results of numerical example indicate that, for example, oligopoly by the aggregator may not be beneficial to the consumers.
Prevalence of personality disorders in patients with fibromyalgia: a brief review

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex musculoskeletal pain disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and other functional symptoms. Patients with FM are frequently affected by psychiatric disorders. Clinicians typically observe certain personality characteristics or traits associated with FM, but there is still a lack of studies about personality disorders (PDs) in patients with FM. Aim of our brief review is to summarize the literature to date on prevalence of PDs in FM. We searched the PubMed electronic database for all articles up to 1 February 2017, and identified a number of reports about prevalence of PDs in patients with FM. Most of studies show that the proportion of PDs diagnosed in patients with FM appears far greater than that found in the general population. We suggest that is very useful to evaluate PDs in patients with FM systematically, in order to improve the understanding, assessment, and treatment of this clinical condition.
Welfare Savings from Employment and Training Programs for Welfare Recipients

Policy makers are showing increasing interest in employment and training programs as a means of reducing welfare costs, despite the evidence that welfare costs are reduced little by these programs. This paper examines the potential for increasing the welfare savings associated with such programs by targeting women for whom the attendant welfare reductions are likely to be the largest. It reanalyzes data from five programs and computes welfare impacts as if the programs had been selectively offered. The results suggest that targeting job-search assistance programs is not likely to be effective, but taht there is a potential for improving the effectiveness of subsidized employment and training programs. Copyright 1989 by MIT Press.
The Utilization of Accelerators to Analyze some Human Hard Tissues from Sudan

This study deals with an overview of the biomedical projects performed at iThemba LABS, particularly in relation to the spatial distribution of trace metals in hard human tissues from disadvantaged Sudanese communities, such as kidney stone concretions, teeth and hair, undertaken at the iThemba LABS Nuclear Microprobe (NMP) facility. Relevant information about the ion beam techniques used for material characterization was discussed. The Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique was used to investigate the elemental composition of human hard tissues on a microscopic scale with the elemental mapping; complementary ion beam techniques are used to provide information on the major and minor components. Analysis of teeth sections by μ-PIXE showed that the levels of trace elements were enriched and/or depleted, this may associated with leaching and/or erosive processes. On the other hand the characterization of kidney stone concretions by μ-PIXE showed a marked difference of individuals from different region within Sudan.
Performance measures in supply chains

Interest in supply chain management (SCM) has increased as organisations seek opportunities to improve performance. Monitoring plays a key role in enhancing supply-chain performance by highlighting opportunities for improvements. However, evidence on the use of performance measures in SCM is scant. This paper explains the role of performance measures in SCM, and the difficulties in their design and implementation. The paper discusses frameworks for the development of supply chain performance measures, and presents case studies of performance measurement in Australian supply chains.
Recovery Patterns in Electroencephalographic Global Field Power During Maximal Isometric Force Production

Dunn-Lewis, C, Flanagan, SD, Comstock, BA, Maresh, CM, Volek, JS, Denegar, CR, Kupchak, BR, and Kraemer, WJ. Recovery patterns in electroencephalographic global field power during maximal isometric force production. J Strength Cond Res 25(10): 2818–2827, 2011—In previous work, cortical activity decreased with fatigue following novel movements or small muscle group actions. These muscle actions, however, do not appear related to the cortical activity seen with biologically relevant and highly trained movement patterns (i.e., ingrained patterns). The cortical recovery response to ingrained patterns–and how it differs with altered load, speed, or volume - is unknown. The purpose of this balanced, within-group study was to investigate differences in cortical activity 24 hours after physically distinct variations of a highly trained squat exercise (n = 7, minimum 4 years resistance training experience). Four resistance protocols were chosen: rate of force development (PWR, 6 × 3 squat jumps at 30% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]); magnitude of force development (FOR, 6 × 3 squat at 95% of 1RM); volume of force development (VOL, 6 × 10 squat at 80% of their 1RM); and control (CTRL, 6 sets unracking an empty bar). Twenty-four hours later, subjects performed a peak isometric squat while electroencephalographic and biochemical markers of exertion and fatigue were obtained. Global field power detected the quantity of activity superficial to motor regions. Waveforms of activity throughout the isometric squats were obtained and grand averages calculated to produce quantitative depictions of cortical activity. Significance was P ≤ 0.05. Peak isometric squat force was not statistically different 24 hours postexercise (Force [N]: PWR: 2828.79 ± 461.17; FOR: 2887.64 ± 453.09; VOL: 2910.17 ± 625.81; CTRL 2768.53 ± 374.85). Subjects produced similar and characteristic cortical activity patterns during isometric squats despite varying indices of fatigue. Differences were observed based upon the use or nonuse of aerobic endurance exercise in their training program. Patterns of activity in data seem to have emerged based on differences in training preference. Global Field Power (uV) during the isometric squat for PWR was 26.98 ± 14.64; FOR 24.06 ± 19.05; VOL 23.05 ± 13.37; and CTRL 15.78 ± 8.11. Previous research suggests that cortical activity decreases with physical activity; however, despite substantial endocrine, perceptual, and biomechanical differences between protocols, cortical activity was not decreased below control during the performance of a maximal isometric squat 24 hours after various exercise protocols.
Modeling Stochastic Volatility with Application to Stock Returns

A stochastic volatility model where volatility was driven solely by a latent variable called news was estimated for three stock indices. A Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm was used for estimating Bayesian parameters and filtering volatilities. Volatility persistence being close to one was consistent with both volatility clustering and mean reversion. Filtering showed highly volatile markets, reflecting frequent pertinent news. Diagnostics showed no model failure, although specification improvements were always possible. The model corroborated stylized findings in volatility modeling and has potential value for market participants in asset pricing and risk management, as well as for policymakers in the design of macroeconomic policies conducive to less volatile financial markets.
Prognostic relevance and performance characteristics of serum IGFBP‐2 and PAPP‐A in women with breast cancer: a long‐term Danish cohort study

Measurement of circulating insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs), in particular IGF‐binding protein (IGFBP)‐2, at the time of diagnosis, is independently prognostic in many cancers, but its clinical performance against other routinely determined prognosticators has not been examined. We measured IGF‐I, IGF‐II, pro‐IGF‐II, IGF bioactivity, IGFBP‐2, ‐3, and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A (PAPP‐A), an IGFBP regulator, in baseline samples of 301 women with breast cancer treated on four protocols (Odense, Denmark: 1993–1998). We evaluated performance characteristics (expressed as area under the curve, AUC) using Cox regression models to derive hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 10‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), and compared those against the clinically used Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI). We measured the same biomarkers in 531 noncancer individuals to assess multidimensional relationships (MDR), and evaluated additional prognostic models using survival artificial neural network (SANN) and survival support vector machines (SSVM), as these enhance capture of MDRs. For RFS, increasing concentrations of circulating IGFBP‐2 and PAPP‐A were independently prognostic [HRbiomarker doubling: 1.474 (95% CIs: 1.160, 1.875, P = 0.002) and 1.952 (95% CIs: 1.364, 2.792, P < 0.001), respectively]. The AUCRFS for NPI was 0.626 (Cox model), improving to 0.694 (P = 0.012) with the addition of IGFBP‐2 plus PAPP‐A. Derived AUCRFS using SANN and SSVM did not perform superiorly. Similar patterns were observed for OS. These findings illustrate an important principle in biomarker qualification—measured circulating biomarkers may demonstrate independent prognostication, but this does not necessarily translate into substantial improvement in clinical performance.
Initial experience with robot-assisted minimally-invasive nephroureterectomy.

PURPOSE Various techniques have been described for laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. We reviewed our initial experience of laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with robot-assisted extravesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine consecutive patients aged 43 to 83 years underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) between August 2005 and March 2007. The first five patients were repositioned after laparoscopic nephrectomy from flank to lithotomy position to dock the robot for excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff by a single surgeon. In contrast, the last four patients remained in flank position throughout the entire procedure, with the robot docked in flank position following laparoscopic nephrectomy. A two-layer closure re-approximated the cystotomy and a urethral catheter was left in place for a mean of 5 days. RESULTS Eight men and one woman with a mean age of 64.2 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.4 kg/m(2) underwent flexible cystoscopy and laparoscopic nephroureterectomy for five right-sided and four left-sided tumors. Mean operative time was 303 minutes (range 210-430 minutes), estimated blood loss was 211 mL (range 50-700 mL), and mean length of hospital stay was 2.3 days. Pathologic staging revealed T(3) for five (55.6%), T(a) for two (22.2%), carcinoma in situ (CIS) for two (22.2%) patients, and high-grade disease for seven (77.8%) patients. With a mean follow-up of 16.2 months (range 4.3-24.3 months), three patients with a history of bladder cancer have experienced recurrence in the bladder, and one of the three has also developed metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic nephroureterectomy with robot-assisted extravesical excision of the distal ureter and bladder cuff appears to be a feasible alternative for patients with TCC of the upper urinary tract.
A Low-Power Integrated Bioamplifier With Active Low-Frequency Suppression

We present in this paper a low-power bioamplifier suitable for massive integration in dense multichannel recording devices. This bioamplifier achieves reduced-size compared to previous designs by means of active low-frequency suppression. An active integrator located in the feedback path of a low-noise amplifier is employed for placing a highpass cutoff frequency within the transfer function. A very long integrating time constant is achieved using a small integrated capacitor and a MOS-bipolar equivalent resistor. This configuration rejects unwanted low-frequency contents without the need for input RC networks or large feedback capacitors. Therefore, the bioamplifier high-input impedance and small size are preserved. The bioamplifier, implemented in a 0.18-mum CMOS process, has been designed for neural recording of action potentials, and optimised through a transconductance-ef-ficiency design methodology for micropower operation. Measured performance and results obtained from in vivo recordings are presented. The integrated bioamplifier provides a midband gain of 50 dB, and achieves an input-referred noise of 5.6 muVrms. It occupies less than 0.050 mm2 of chip area and dissipates 8.6 muW.