Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual Mandates in Insurance Markets with Asymmetrical Information

A Rothschild & Stiglitz (1976) model of a market for insurance is used in order to discuss how asymmetrical information can lead to a decrease in coverage in the market. A simple model of how an individual mandate that requires all individuals in a population to obtain insurance affects the market equilibrium is proposed. I show how such a mandate can give implications for the existence of a equilibrium, through a shift in the average risk in the population. The theoretical effect depends on the combinations of income and risk in the market, and is therefore inconclusive. Finally the Massachusetts health care reform is used as an example of how the models may be applied.
Marrying Ain’t Hard When You Got A Union Card? Labor Union Membership and First Marriage

Over the past five decades, marriage has changed dramatically, as young people began marrying later or never getting married at all. Scholars have shown how this decline is less a result of changing cultural definitions of marriage, and more a result of men’s changing access to social and economic prerequisites for marriage. Specifically, men’s current economic standing and men’s future economic security have been shown to affect their marriageability. Traditionally, labor unions provided economic standing and security to male workers. Yet during the same period that marriage has declined among young people, membership in labor unions has declined precipitously, particularly for men. In this article, we examine the relationship between union membership and first marriage and discuss the possible mechanisms by which union membership might lead to first marriage. We draw on longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth-79 to estimate discrete time event-history models of first marriage entry and find that, controlling for many factors, union membership is positively and significantly associated with marriage. We show then that this relationship is largely explained by the increased income, regularity and stability of employment, and fringe benefits that come with union membership.
Geely Automotive's Acquisition of Volvo

The case describes Geely Automotive's strategy to grow from an unknown Chinese refrigerator manufacturer into a global international player. A big step toward Geely's internationalization was its acquisition of Volvo Car Corporation in 2010. The acquisition prompted the largest profits and most intense technology transfer in Geely's history. But it also created conflicts between the two merging organizations including differences over leadership style, resource sharing, and branding strategy. The case discusses the synergies and challenges encountered by Geely and Volvo and illustrates the details of the acquisition. The case also provides lessons for other enterprises from emerging economies that are increasingly wishing to expand to well-developed markets such as America and Europe.
Ultrasonographic assessment of longitudinal median nerve and hand flexor tendon dynamics in carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: Changes in subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients may result in altered dynamics; consequently, quantification of these dynamics might support objective diagnosis of CTS. Methods: We measured and compared longitudinal excursion of the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons, the median nerve, and the SSCT between the most and least affected hands of 51 CTS patients during extension‐to‐fist motion. Results: Median nerve and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon excursions in the most affected hands were smaller than in the least affected hands of the same patients, whereas the excursions of the flexor digitorum profundus were larger. Based on these excursions, logistic regression models classified between 67% and 86% of the hands correctly as having CTS. Conclusions: The altered hand dynamics in CTS patients may have implications for the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of CTS, and ultrasound‐based classification models may further support the diagnosis of CTS. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Left ventricular function assessment using a fast 3D gradient echo pulse sequence: comparison to standard multi-breath hold 2D steady state free precession imaging and accounting for papillary muscles and trabeculations

Objective Papillary muscles and trabeculae for ventricular function analysis are known to signifi cantly contribute to accurate volume and mass measurements. Fast imaging techniques such as three-dimensional steady-state free precession (3D SSFP) are increasingly being used to speed up imaging time, but sacrifi ce spatial resolution. It is unknown whether 3D SSFP, despite its reduced spatial resolution, allows for exact delineation of papillary muscles and trabeculations. We therefore compared 3D SSFP ventricular function measurements to those measured from standard multi-breath hold two-dimensional steady-state free precession cine images (standard 2D SSFP). Methods and results 14 healthy subjects and 14 patients with impaired left ventricular function underwent 1.5 Tesla cine imaging. A stack of short axis images covering the left ventricle was acquired with 2D SSFP and 3D SSFP. Left ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and mass were determined. Analysis was performed by substracting papillary muscles and trabeculae from left ventricular volumes. In addition, reproducibility was assessed. EDV, ESV, EF, and mass were not signifi cantly diff erent between 2D SSFP and 3D SSFP (mean diff erence healthy subjects: -0.06 ± 3.2 ml, 0.54 ± 2.2 ml, -0.45 ± 1.8%, and 1.13 ± 0.8 g, respectively; patients: 1.36 ± 2.8 ml, -0.15 ± 3.5 ml, 0.86 ± 2.5%, and 0.91 ± 0.9 g, respectively; P≥ 0.095). Intra- and interobserver variability was not diff erent for 2D SSFP (P≥ 0.64 and P≥ 0.397) and 3D SSFP (P≥ 0.53 and P≥ 0.47). Conclusions Diff erences in volumes, EF, and mass measurements between 3D SSFP and standard 2D SSFP are very small, and not statistically signifi cant. 3D SSFP may be used for accurate ventricular function assessment when papillary muscles and trabeculations are to be taken into account.
BIETTI’S CRYSTALLINE CORNEORETINAL DYSTROPHY: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of Bietti’s corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD) in a reference population of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and to document the disease course clinically and angiographically by a cross-sectional approach. Methods: Two hundred seven consecutive RP patients were ascertained within a 3-year period. All patients had a complete eye examination, including fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography (FA, ICG). Blood samples were collected for electron microscopy evaluation of circulating lymphocytes of BCD patients. Results: Six patients were diagnosed with BCD. Prevalence was 3% of nonsyndromic RP cases. Limbal corneal and intraretinal crystals were found in all cases. In the early phase of BCD, ICG revealed focal lobular areas of choriocapillary atrophy at the equator, with concomitant retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes at the posterior pole on FA. These lesions gradually progressed both anteriorly and posteriorly, sparing an incomplete peripapillary ring and macular island until late in the disease. Progressive sclerosis of ciliary and choroidal arteries was noted upon ICG. The presence of lysosomal crystals was documented in a subpopulation of circulating lymphocytes that seemed to increase with age. Conclusion: The present study is the first to assess BCD prevalence in a population of retinitis pigmentosa patients, to describe clinically and angiographically its evolution from first symptom to legal blindness, and to localize the first fundus alterations not only at the posterior pole but also at the equator.
Corruption, Financial Resources and Exports

This paper argues that a country's comparative advantage in exports depends on both the factor abundance and the allocation efficiency of the endowments. However, the latter is not considered in the traditional Heckscher–Ohlin model. In line with the “sand” view of corruption, this paper empirically studies the role of corruption in shaping a country's export pattern by distorting the allocation of financial resources. We find that the resource misallocation resulting from corruption undermines the export growth promoted by the positive external financial shock. The negative effects are realized by the extensive margins instead of the intensive margins of heterogeneous firms.
Walking the Walk: The Association Between Community Environmentalism and Green Travel Behavior

Problem: Reducing gasoline consumption could sharply curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Ongoing research seeks to document factors associated with green travel behavior, like walking and transit use. Purpose: We seek to determine whether green beliefs and values are associated with green travel behavior. We measure whether residents of communities with environmentalist attributes drive less, consume less gasoline, and are more likely to commute by private vehicle. We explore several channels through which green beliefs and values may affect travel behavior and vice versa. Methods: We drew our demographic, transportation, and built environment data from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing including the Public Use Microdata Sample and the 2001 National Household Travel Survey, and constructed our indicators of green ideology using voting records, political party membership, and data on hybrid auto ownership. We estimated ordinary least squares regression and linear probability models using both individual households and small areas as units of analysis. Results and conclusions: We find green ideology is associated with green travel behavior. People with green values are more likely than others to be located in communities with high population densities and proximity to city centers and rail transit stations, which are attributes conducive to environmentally friendly travel. We also find that residents of green communities engage in more sustainable travel than residents of other communities, even controlling for demographics and the effects of the built environment. Green ideology may cause green travel behavior because greens derive utility from conservation or because greens locate in, or create, areas with characteristics that promote sustainable travel. We also discuss the possibility that green travel behavior may cause green beliefs. Takeaway for practice: If greens self-select into dense, central, and transit-friendly areas, the demand for these characteristics may rise if green consciousness does. Alternatively, if these characteristics cause green consciousness, their promotion promises to increase green behavior. The implications of our finding that residents of green communities engage in more sustainable travel patterns than others depends on the causal mechanism at work. If greens conserve because they derive utility from it, then environmental education and persuasion may bring about more sustainable travel. Alternatively, if green travel behavior causes green beliefs, it is possible that attracting more travelers to alternate modes and reducing vehicle miles traveled may increase environmental consciousness, which may in turn promote other types of pro-environment behavior. Research support: None.
Organisational culture and trust as organisational factors for corporate governance

This inquiry into listed companies at Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and Hanoi Stock Exchange in Vietnam aims to detect if such constructs as organisational culture and trust act as antecedents for robust corporate governance. About 286 responses returned from self-administered structured questionnaires despatched to 853 middle level managers were dissected via structural equation modelling. From the findings emerged the interconnections between all organisational culture types and calculus-based trust. Adhocracy culture or market culture, on the other hand, tends to cultivate not only merely calculus-based trust but also knowledge-based trust and identification-based trust, which in turn positively influence corporate governance.
A probabilistic clothes recommender based on clothes features

Due to its convenience and preferential price, online clothes-selling business grows up quickly and becomes one of the most profitable businesses in e-Commerce companies including Taobao.com and JD.com. Here, how to assist customers find their favorite clothes is an interesting challenge to these companies. In this article, we developed a probabilistic clothes recommendation system (HPRS) for easy shopping. One of the unique features of this system is the ability to recommend clothes in terms of both user ratings and clothes attributes. This is achieved by extracting key clothes features that influence the decision-making of online shopping from clothes images. Our experiments show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
(E)-2-[2-(2-Nitrophenyl)ethenyl]-8-quinolyl acetate

The title compound, C19H14N2O4, crystallizes with two molecules with very similar conformations in the asymmetric unit; the angles between the two ring systems are 8.7 (1) and 4.2 (1)°. In the crystal, intermolecular π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance 3.973 (1) Å] lead to a three-dimensional network.
Opening the fuzzy front-end of new product development: a synthesis of two theories

Product development processes have been studied since the 80s and nearing 90s, academic attention turned to early phases of development, i.e., fuzzy front-end (FFE). Activities at the FFE are often chaotic and experimental with rather unpredictable or uncertain commercialisation future. Opportunities are raising, but a firm still cannot do all needed development and commercialisation actions for all potential technologies in-house. The theory of open innovation (OI) has tackled some of the emerged dilemmas by opening the borders of the company for knowledge and technology exchange. One of the fundamental notions therein is that technologies of little apparent value to your business may be highly valued outside your company. In our paper, OI and FFE theories are merged to introduce an open new concept development framework, leading to new discoveries in the relation between FFE and external technology exploitation. The framework helps organisations to improve their product development profitability by coping with in- and out-flows of technology.
Proprietary costs and determinants of voluntary segment disclosure: evidence from Italian listed companies

This paper aims to identify new determinants of the extent of voluntary segment disclosure by using the theoretical framework of the proprietary costs theory, which states that companies limit voluntary disclosure because of proprietary costs, such as preparation and competitive costs. On the basis of the existing literature on this theory and on segment reporting, three hypotheses are theoretically derived, each correlating the level of segment disclosure to a new determinant, specifically the correspondence between the segments and legally identifiable sub-groups of companies, the growth rate and the listing status age. The paper also provides further evidence to test the impact of some ‘traditional’ determinants, introduced in the study as control variables. The hypotheses formulated are empirically verified. The analysis is carried out with reference to Italy, because of its limited legal and professional provisions on the topic. For the empirical test, a sample of sixty-four Italian listed companies is selected and a multiple regression model is used. Results show that, except for the growth rate, the two other new determinants are significantly related to the extent of segment disclosure. These findings confirm that proprietary costs are particularly relevant and limit the incentive for companies to provide segment information to the market.
Inverse kinematics and path planning of Stewart Platform using crank arm actuation system

In this paper a modified form of Stewart Platform has been introduced. Stewart Platform consists of six legs which connect a stationary Plate of Platform to the moveable Platform through six legs. The connecting legs in this work have been modified in a way that results in cost effective model. This approach allows cheap stepper motor to be used as actuator. This configuration also renders more workspace in advantage but with the disadvantage in the form less load carrying capability. The inverse kinematics for this model have developed and applied in path calculations.
Efficiency optimized 60 GHz CMOS Power amplifier for high PAPR signals

In this paper, a 60 GHz power amplifier is presented in 65nm CMOS technology based on the transformerless load-modulated (TLLM) amplifier architecture. It is designed to obtain high efficiency at output power back-off. The amplifier has 12.5 dB small signal gain and 11.5 dBm saturated output power. Measurement results show that this amplifier has more than 8% drain efficiency (7% power-added efficiency) in the last 6 dB output power range.
The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by green semiconductor films that is induced by irradiation by a light-emitting diode and visible light

ABSTRACT This study develops a low-energy rotating photocatalytic contactor (LE-RPC) that has Cu-doped TiO2 films coated on stainless-steel rotating disks, to experimentally evaluate the efficiency of the degradation and decolorization of methylene blue (MB) under irradiation from different light sources (visible 430 nm, light-emitting diode [LED] 460 nm, and LED 525 nm). The production of hydroxyl radicals is also examined. The experimental results show that the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 that is doped with Cu2+ is induced by illumination with visible light and an LED. More than 90% of methylene blue at a 10 mg/L concentration is degraded after illumination by visible light (430 nm) for 4 hr at 20 rpm. This study also demonstrates that the quantity of hydroxyl radicals produced is directly proportional to the light energy intensity. The greater the light energy intensity, the greater is the number of hydroxyl radicals produced. Implications: The CuO-doped anatase TiO2 powder was successfully synthesized in this study by a sol–gel method. The catalytic abilities of the stainless-steel film were enhanced in the visible light regions. This study has successfully modified the nano-photocatalytic materials to drop band gap and has also successfully fixed the nano-photocatalytic materials on a substratum to effectively treat dye wastewater in the range of visible light. The results can be useful to the development of a low-energy rotating photocatalytic contactor for decontamination purposes.
Benchmarking the In Vitro Activities of Moxifloxacin and Comparator Agents against Recent Respiratory Isolates from 377 Medical Centers throughout the United States

ABSTRACT To benchmark the activity of moxifloxacin (a newer fluoroquinolone), a U.S. study comprising 16,141 contemporary isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae (5,640), Haemophilus influenzae (6,583), and Moraxella catarrhalis (3,648) referred from 377 institutions during 1998 is described. For S. pneumoniae the modal MIC and MIC at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited (MIC90) for moxifloxacin were 0.12 and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively, independent of susceptibility to other drug classes, geography, or site of infection. Eleven isolates were intermediate or resistant to levofloxacin and grepafloxacin; of these isolates, 1 remained susceptible to sparfloxacin, 2 remained susceptible to moxifloxacin, and 4 remained susceptible to trovafloxacin. All 11 isolates possessed classic mutations ingyrA and/or parC known to confer reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Four isolates (originating from four separate states) belonging to a multidrug-resistant, fluoroquinolone-resistant clone were identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. For moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin, at least 87% of isolates demonstrated MICs ≥3 twofold concentrations below the susceptibility breakpoints, in contrast to no more than 15% for levofloxacin, grepafloxacin, and sparfloxacin. Of the isolates that were multidrug resistant (7.4%), >98% remained susceptible to moxifloxacin. The modal MIC and MIC90 for M. catarrhalis (both 0.06 μg/ml) and for H. influenzae(both 0.03 μg/ml) were independent of β-lactamase production. These data demonstrate the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin and establish a baseline for future studies.
Intravenous Contrast Agent Influence on Thoracic Computed Tomography Simulation Investigated Through A Heterogeneous Dose Calculation Method Using 5-Bulk Densities

ObjectiveUsing 5-bulk-density heterogeneous dose calculation, we investigated whether contrast-enhanced (CE+) computed tomography (CT) will affect dose-calculation accuracy in the thoracic area. MethodsWe analyzed 17 radiation-oncology patients who underwent thoracic CE+ CTs. Full-resolution CT and 5-bulk-density plans were generated using an adaptive convolution algorithm. Bulk densities for air, lung, fat, soft tissue, and bone were applied to regions identified by an isodensity segmentation tool. The population-averaged physical density of each region was calculated and compared with the reference value calculated from 66 noncontrast-enhanced (CE−) thoracic CT images. Using the 5-bulk densities, we created a new plan in which the physical densities of each area were forced to be the same as the CE− reference value, and we compared the dose-volume histograms (DVH). ResultsAverage physical density for the segmented air, lung, fat, soft tissue, and bone for CE+ were 0.14, 0.29, 0.90, 1.03, and 1.13 g/cm3, and the reference values for CE− were 0.14, 0.26, 0.89, 1.02, and 1.12 g/cm3, respectively. In all the cases, the normal-tissue DVH agreed to better than 1%. In 15 cases, DVH of the planning target volume (PTV) agreed to better than 3%. In 2 patients, >3% difference in the PTV dose was observed. ConclusionsOnly 2 patients with a strong injection artifact in the PTV or beam showed >3% discrepancy in the target dose. When using CE+ CT for treatment planning, strong injection artifacts must be excluded.
Angiographic outcomes following stenting or coronary artery bypass surgery of the left main coronary artery: fifteen-month outcomes from the synergy between PCI with TAXUS express and cardiac surgery left main angiographic substudy (SYNTAX-LE MANS).

AIMS The SYNTAX-LE MANS substudy prospectively evaluated 15-month angiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with treated left main (LM) disease. METHODS AND RESULTS In the SYNTAX trial, 1,800 patients with three-vessel and/or LM disease were randomised to either CABG or PCI; of these, 271 LM patients were prospectively assigned to receive a 15-month angiogram. The primary endpoint for the CABG arm was the ratio of ≥50% to <100% obstructed/occluded grafts bypassing LM lesions to the number placed. The primary endpoint for the PCI arm was the proportion of patients with ≤50% diameter stenosis ('patent' stents) of treated LM lesions. Per protocol, no formal comparison between CABG and PCI arms was intended based on the differing primary endpoints. Available 15-month angiograms were analysed for 114 CABG and 149 PCI patients. At 15 months, 9.9% (26/263) of CABG grafts were 100% occluded and an additional 5.7% (15/263) were ≥50% to <100% occluded. Overall, 27.2% (31/114) of patients had ≥1 obstructed/occluded graft. The 15-month CABG MACCE rate was 8.8% (10/114) and MACCE at 15 months was not significantly associated with graft obstruction/occlusion (p=0.85). In the PCI arm, 92.4% (134/145) of patients had ≤50% diameter LM stenosis at 15 months (89.7% [87/97] distal LM lesions and 97.9% [47/48] non-distal LM lesions). The 15-month PCI MACCE rate was 12.8% (20/156) and this was significantly associated with lack of stent patency at 15 months (p<0.001), mainly due to repeat revascularisation. CONCLUSIONS At 15 months, 15.6% (41/263) of grafts were at least 50% obstructed but this was not significantly associated with MACCE; 92.4% (134/145) of patients had stents that remained patent at 15 months, and stent restenosis was significantly associated with MACCE, predominantly due to revascularisation.