Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How to Measure the Correlation between Return of Oil Production Projects Realistically

The use of portfolio theory has been appointed as an important tool for economic risk management in the O&G industry. There are only 3 input parameters: (a) mean return; (b) standard deviation of return; (c) correlation between pairs of assets, projects, prospects, etc. Although simple, one practical problem with the application of this model is the estimation of correlation because there is no historical data as in the case of financial assets. This paper presents a methodology for the estimation of linear and rank correlation between E&P oil and gas projects through the following steps: 1) Estimate the mean and risk of each project; 2) Identify the variables that are common to two projects such as oil price, fiscal regime, etc; 3) Simulate the return of each project; 4) Estimate the correlation between projects. This model is applied to estimate the mean and risk of a portfolio of 3 projects typical from the deep-water in Brazil with reserves of 346, 629 and 694 million barrels. The fiscal model is based on Tax & Royalty. For all these projects, production strategy and production curve come from reservoir simulation. Alternatively, correlation between return of projects is assumed subjectively (a typical number is 70%) but with this model it can be estimated in a much more sound way. Results indicate that main determinants of correlation are fixed cost, variable cost and oil quality. With this information, managers are able to select best portfolios – for example, by means of farm-in and farm-out – in order to create value for stakeholders considering not only means, but also risk and possible benefits from diversification. Introduction In most oil companies, decision-makers have to manage portfolios with large number of projects from areas such as exploration, development, production, decommissioning, etc. The life span of these portfolios is similar to that of the company and may have the magnitude of decades. Usually, company’s portfolio is periodically updated on a yearly basis. In this process, the return to stakeholders depends on: (1) skill of decision-makers to add and remove projects, (2) performance of each individual projects as well as of their synergistic interaction in terms of geologic features, (3) operating infrastructure, (4) marketing conditions, (5) others. In portfolio management, decision-makers usually make decisions based on mean and standard deviation 1 (risk) of the rate of return 2 of investments. The model developed by Markowitz (1959) for the financial world (stocks, bills, bonds, etc) is the 1 In financial markets, the standard deviation is the most common measure of risk. In other areas such as Actuarial Science and Engneering, risk is usually measured using, for example, the probability of occurrence of an unfavorable event. 2 The term rate of return is common in financial markets, but not so in case of capital investments. Here, measures of return
Combined Serum Paraoxonase Knockout/Apolipoprotein E Knockout Mice Exhibit Increased Lipoprotein Oxidation and Atherosclerosis*

Serum paraoxonase (PON1), present on high density lipoprotein, may inhibit low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and protect against atherosclerosis. We generated combined PON1 knockout (KO)/apolipoprotein E (apoE) KO and apoE KO control mice to compare atherogenesis and lipoprotein oxidation. Early lesions were examined in 3-month-old mice fed a chow diet, and advanced lesions were examined in 6-month-old mice fed a high fat diet. In both cases, the PON1 KO/apoE KO mice exhibited significantly more atherosclerosis (50–71% increase) than controls. We examined LDL oxidation and clearancein vivo by injecting human LDL into the mice and following its turnover. LDL clearance was faster in the double KO mice as compared with controls. There was a greater rate of accumulation of oxidized phospholipid epitopes and a greater accumulation of LDL-immunoglobulin complexes in the double KO mice than in controls. Furthermore, the amounts of three bioactive oxidized phospholipids were elevated in the endogenous intermediate density lipoprotein/LDL of double KO mice as compared with the controls. Finally, the expression of heme oxygenase-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and oxidized LDL receptors were elevated in the livers of double KO mice as compared with the controls. These data demonstrate that PON1 deficiency promotes LDL oxidation and atherogenesis in apoE KO mice.
Using target faults to detect non-target defects

The traditional ATPG method relies upon faults to target all defects. Since faults do not model all possible defects, testing quality depends on the fortuitous detection of non-target defects. By analyzing different ATPG approaches, this paper intends to identify critical factors that may greatly affect the fortuitous detection. For enhancing the fortuitous detection of non-target defects through target faults, new concepts and novel ATPG methods are proposed.
Predicting the effect of rotation design on N, P, K balances on organic farms using the NDICEA model

Abstract The dynamic model Nitrogen Dynamics in Crop rotations in Ecological Agriculture (NDICEA) was used to assess the nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) balance of long-term organic cropping trials and typical organic crop rotations on a range of soil types and rainfall zones in the UK. The measurements of soil N taken at each of the organic trial sites were also used to assess the performance of NDICEA. The modeled outputs compared well to recorded soil N levels, with relatively small error margins. NDICEA therefore seems to be a useful tool for UK organic farmers. The modeling of typical organic rotations has shown that positive N balances can be achieved, although negative N balances can occur under high rainfall conditions and on lighter soil types as a result of leaching. The analysis and modeling also showed that some organic cropping systems rely on imported sources of P and K to maintain an adequate balance and large deficits of both nutrients are apparent in stockless systems. Although the K deficits could be addressed through the buffering capacity of minerals, the amount available for crop uptake will depend on the type and amount of minerals present, current cropping and fertilization practices and the climatic environment. A P deficit represents a more fundamental problem for the maintenance of crop yields and the organic sector currently relies on mined sources of P which represents a fundamental conflict with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements organic principles.
The Economics Of Safety And Physical Risk

This book is concerned with the underlying economic questions which arise when decisions are made about the allocation of scarce resources to safety improvement. It examines contributions from other disciplines and explores the interrelationship between them and the economic analysis of safety. The book presents valuable theoretical and empirical results on attitudes to risk and the valuation of safety, and assesses the implications of recent work for public policy in such areas as transport, medical care and radiological protection. The subject matter of the book crosses various disciplinary boundaries and the author's findings will be of interest to a wide range of professionals.
Costs and benefits of flexible workspaces: work in progress in The Netherlands

The last decade has witnessed the introduction of non‐territorial offices with desk sharing and desk rotation linked to different job functions and working processes. This paper discusses the motives behind the application of these new concepts, potential costs and benefits and data on accommodation costs. A framework of potential costs and benefits is presented and illustrated by data from cost analyses and post‐occupancy evaluations of new offices. The author advocates the creation of an integral framework of (potential) costs and benefits, structured according to the principles of the balanced score card. This may help decision makers to set priorities in objectives and to anticipate on effects of interventions in office accommodation. Empirical data on costs and benefits of innovative workplace design are scarce. The framework according to the balanced score card should be explored further by interviewing experts from different organisations. The integral framework is new. The conceptual framework and data from empirical research may support decision making.
Legislative-Executive Relations in Zambia: Parliamentary Reform on the Agenda

This article examines legislative-executive relations in Zambia’s Third Republic in the decade since the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) came to power in 1991. It claims there is an imbalance in power favouring the executive. There is a deficit of political accountability. By ‘accountability’ here is meant a broad two-dimensional concept that embraces both answerability — the requirement to inform, explain and justify — and enforceability, namely the capacity of accounting agencies to impose sanctions. 3
Safety and efficacy of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency

Objective: To assess the safety of sitagliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate [creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≥30 to <50 ml/min] or severe renal insufficiency [CrCl <30 ml/min including patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis]. The efficacy of sitagliptin in this patient population was also assessed.
Vision-based system for counting of moving vehicles in different weather conditions

As Sensors are sensitive to weather conditions; video cameras could be used to record the traffic information at different weather conditions. We have sophisticated algorithms to analyze the traffic videos in real time and discover information of interest. Although some sensors could be more accurate, they could also be Intrusive and need a higher maintenance cost. We may need to embed weighing sensors in road to measure vehicle feature and classify vehicle size. In video surveillance systems, it is very complicated to extract more number of features from a video. It has been also inferred that more computations are required to calculate background model and to extract the key frames. In this paper, a novel algorithm is implemented which counts and classifies highway vehicles using regression. The algorithm proposed in this paper, starts with preprocessing the Low Quality videos by Removal of Noise using Bi-lateral filtering, followed by color image based Background mask generation using Multi-layer Background subtraction technique. A fast performing kernel is designed which then used to extract the Foreground mask using Mixture of Gaussians. Finally Contour extraction and Cascaded Regression will results the foreground moving objects in the Low quality video.
The generics paradox revisited: empirical evidence from regulated markets

Earlier studies have pointed at the presence of a generics paradox in the US prescription drug market. This article tests whether the generics paradox also holds in the presence of pricing and reimbursement regulation in six European prescription drug markets. Using proprietary pricing and market share data, the results of panel data analysis suggest that the generics paradox also holds in these markets. Neither generic entry nor generic market penetration affect prices of originator drugs downwards, and prices of originator drugs actually increase post-generic entry.
Post‐War Productivity Patterns in U.S. Agriculture: Influences of Aggregation Procedures in a State‐Level Analysis

Annual data for forty-eight states are used to account for changes in the composition of input and output aggregates over space and time, and thereby to obtain new evidence on changes in inputs, outputs, and productivity in U.S. agriculture. The measures change significantly when we use state-specific rather than national prices and when we allow for changes in the composition of the aggregates, especially of labor and capital inputs. We compare our estimates and those reported by Ball et al. (American Journal of Agricultural Economics 81(1999):164–79). The national estimates are similar but substantial differences are found in state-level productivity growth. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Gate-level process variation offset technique by using dual voltage supplies to achieve near-threshold energy efficient operation

We present a low overhead technique that can be used to offset both large systematic and random process delay variation in the near-threshold voltage operation region. We present an analysis of this this technique applied to a 65nm CMOS self synchronous FPGA that is capable of operation from 2.0V to 0.37V. By using dual voltage supplies, we can offset gate-level pipeline stages that show large delay variation, to achieve energy savings per operation of up to 102x for a 200 stage pipeline.
Vitreous Fluid and/or Urine Glucose Concentrations in 1335 Civil Aviation Accident Pilot Fatalities *

Abstract: During aviation accident investigations, vitreous fluid and urine samples from pilot fatalities are analyzed for glucose and blood for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to monitor diabetic pilots and to discover other pilots with undiagnosed/unreported diabetes. The prevalence of elevated glucose concentrations in fatally injured pilots was evaluated by searching the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute’s Toxicology Database for the period 1998–2005. Out of 1335 pilots involving 363 vitreous fluid, 365 urine, and 607 vitreous fluid and urine analyses, 43 pilots had elevated glucose in vitreous fluid (>125 mg/dL) and/or in urine (>100 mg/dL). Of the 20 pilots whose blood samples were analyzed, nine had >6% HbA1c—four were known diabetics, and five were unknown diabetics. Urinary glucose levels were elevated in all 13 known hyperglycemic pilots. A considerable number of pilots (30 of 43) had elevated glucose and HbA1c (5 of 20), suggesting undiagnosed/unreported diabetic conditions.
The Macroeconomic Effects of Foreign Aid: A Survey

Research on the macroeconomic effects of aid has expanded rapidly in recent years. In this paper, we provide a survey of this literature. We start by reviewing some theoretical models that suggest a positive impact of aid on investment and growth. We then discuss the empirical evidence, giving particular attention to the role of institutions and policies in determining aid effectiveness. As a general conclusion, we suggest adopting a more disaggregate perspective with respect both to different types of aid and to various aspects of governance.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of postinfarction ventricular tachycardia: long-term success and the significance of inducible nonclinical arrhythmias.

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is effective therapy for monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients without structural heart disease. In patients with postinfarction VT; however, this procedure has been used predominantly as adjunctive therapy, targeting only the patient's clinically documented arrhythmia. By targeting all inducible, sustained VT morphologies, we sought to determine the utility of RF catheter ablation as a primary cure in patients who present with hemodynamically tolerated VT. METHODS AND RESULTS RF ablation was attempted in 35 patients with a previous myocardial infarction and recurrent, hemodynamically tolerated VT. A mean of 3.9+/-2.7 VTs were induced per patient (range, 1 to 10). The clinically documented arrhythmia was successfully ablated in 30 of 35 patients (86%), and on follow-up electrophysiological testing, 11 patients had no inducible VT and were discharged without other therapy. Nineteen patients had inducible "nonclinical" arrhythmias on follow-up testing, and the majority underwent cardiac defibrillator implantation. Freedom from recurrent arrhythmias, including sudden death, was 91% in patients without inducible VT and 53% in patients with persistently inducible "nonclinical" arrhythmias (P<.05; mean follow-up, 17+/-12 and 12+/-11 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In patients with well-tolerated VT, RF catheter ablation may be useful as a primary cure if no other ventricular arrhythmias are inducible on follow-up testing. Ablation of all hemodynamically tolerated arrhythmias should be attempted in patients with multiple inducible VT morphologies because of the high rate of recurrence of unablated VTs in these patients.
Conflicts of Interest and Research Quality of Affiliated Analysts in the German Universal Banking System: Evidence from IPO Underwriting

The quality of equity research by financial analysts is a prerequisite for an efficient capital market. This study investigates the quality of earnings forecasts and stock recommendations for initial public offerings (IPOs) in Germany. The empirical study includes 12,605 earnings forecasts and 6,209 stock recommendations of individual analysts for the time period from 1997 to 2004. The focus of this study is on analysing the potential conflicts of interest that arise when the analyst is affiliated with the underwriter of an IPO. In a universal banking system these conflicts of interest are usually more pronounced and therefore interesting to investigate. The empirical findings for the German financial market suggest that earnings forecasts and stock recommendations of the analysts belonging to the lead-underwriter are on average inaccurate and biased, indicating some conflicts of interest. Moreover, the stock recommendations of the analysts that are affiliated with the lead-underwriter are often too optimistic resulting in a significant long-run underperformance for the investor. In contrast, unaffiliated analysts provide better earnings forecasts and stock recommendations that result in a superior performance for the investor.
Estrogen action and male fertility: Roles of the sodium/hydrogen exchanger-3 and fluid reabsorption in reproductive tract function

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is essential for male fertility. Its activity is responsible for maintaining epithelial cytoarchitecture in efferent ductules and the reabsorption of fluid for concentrating sperm in the head of the epididymis. These discoveries and others have helped to establish estrogen's bisexual role in reproductive importance. Reported here is the molecular mechanism to explain estrogen's role in fluid reabsorption in the male reproductive tract. It is shown that estrogen regulates expression of the Na+/H+ exchanger-3 (NHE3) and the rate of 22Na+ transport, sensitive to an NHE3 inhibitor. Immunohistochemical staining for NHE3, carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), and aquaporin-I (AQP1) was decreased in ERα knockout (αERKO) efferent ductules. Targeted gene-deficient mice were compared with αERKO, and the NHE3 knockout and CAII-deficient mice showed αERKO-like fluid accumulation, but only the NHE3 knockout and αERKO mice were infertile. Northern blot analysis showed decreases in mRNA for NHE3 in αERKO and antiestrogen-treated mice. The changes in AQP1 and CAII in αERKO seemed to be secondary because of the disruption of apical cytoarchitecture. Ductal epithelial ultrastructure was abnormal only in αERKO mice. Thus, in the male, estrogen regulates one of the most important epithelial ion transporters and maintains epithelial morphological differentiation in efferent ductules of the male, independent of its regulation of Na+ transport. Finally, these data raise the possibility of targeting ERα in developing a contraceptive for the male.
Genetic relationship between the lifetime milk production, longevity and first lactation milk yield in Slovenian Brown cattle breed

To study the genetic relationship between the lifetime milk production (LMP), first lactation milk yield (MY305), and length of productive life (PL) in the Slovenian Brown cattle population, first lactation records from 14,389 cows and lifetime performance records (LMP and PL) from 12,416 cows were used. Records of LMP and PL were normalised using the square root transformation of the raw values. The fixed effect of the first calving year-season oscillated between different seasons within a year for all the traits. These changes followed a seasonal pattern in MY305, where cows with first calving in colder seasons of a year had the highest MY305 and cows with first calving in the warmer seasons of a year had the lowest. The estimated heritability was 0.12±0.017 for LMP, 0.09±0.015 for PL, and 0.15±0.001 for MY305. Genetic correlation between LMP and PL was very strong (0.96±0.008), while it was moderate (0.48±0.067) between LMP and MY305 and weak between PL and MY305 (0.23±0.085). The common herd environment correlation between PL and MY305 was moderate and negative (-0.41±0.052), whereas it was weak and positive between the LMP and MY305 (0.26±0.057) and strong and positive between LMP and PL (0.74±0.025). For the last 40 years, a positive genetic trend was observed for LMP and MY305, while the genetic trend for PL remained stable.
Repeat heart valve surgery: risk factors for operative mortality.

BACKGROUND Patients undergoing repeat heart valve operations are a diverse population. We assessed risk factors for operative mortality in patients undergoing a first heart valve reoperation. METHODS A retrospective review of hospital records was performed for 671 patients who underwent first repeat heart valve operations between 1969 and 1998. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS Operative mortality was 8.6%. Mortality fell each decade to 4.8% in the most recent period (adjusted chi(2) for linear trend P <. 0005). Mortality increased from 3.0% for reoperation for a failed repair or reoperation at a new valve site to 10.6% for prosthetic valve dysfunction or periprosthetic leak and to 29.4% for endocarditis or valve thrombosis. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was associated with a mortality of 15.4% compared with 8.2% when it was not required. Mortality for aortic valve replacement was 6.4%, mitral valve replacement 7.4%, aortic and mitral valve replacement 11.5%, tricuspid valve replacement 25.6%, periprosthetic leak repair 9.1%, and isolated valve repair 2.2%. Among 336 patients requiring replacement of prosthetic valves, mortality was 26.1% for replacement of a mechanical valve compared with 8.6% for replacement of a tissue valve (P <.0005). Multivariable analyses identified year of reoperation, age, coronary artery bypass grafting, indication, and replacement of a mechanical valve rather than a tissue valve as significant explanatory variables for operative mortality. CONCLUSIONS Heart valve reoperations can be performed with an acceptable operative mortality. However, we have identified several categories of patients in whom reoperation carries an increased risk.
Tourism Perspectives of the Asian Financial Crisis: Lessons for the Future

This paper reviews the causes of the Asian financial crisis,the implications for tourism, and identifies salient lessons that may be employed in dealing with future crises. Written just after the conclusion of the financial crisis, the paper finds that the crisis did not have as great an impact on tourism in East Asia as first feared and observes that tourism may be more resilient to crises than previously anticipated. The paper also notes that the tourism literature has been largely silent on the impact of the crisis and discusses the need for greater analysis of economic issues.