Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Study on the Effect of Financial Structure on Investment: Does Debt Covenant Shrink Corporate Investment?

After the crisis, affiliated firms of the business conglomerates selected as main debtor groups are mandated to contract the debt covenant that enforces to improve financial structure. This paper examines how the regulation on financial structure of main debtor groups affects investment of affiliated firms. Even though several economists insist that the regulation of the debt covenant― including 200 % debt ratio cap ― makes the investment of main debtor groups decline, there is no empirical work testing the effect of the regulation on the investment in Korea. The empirical results of this study show that due to the debt covenant, the effect of debt on investment decreased after the crisis, and that specially during 1998 to 2000, the facility investment of affiliated firms in main debtor groups remarkably declined. Additionally, we examine whether a firm's control-ownership disparity affected its investment. Contrary to existing empirical papers, results of this study show that control-ownership disparity is not related with investment statistically, and so mean that a firm's ownership structure does not induce its excess investment.
Analysis for epidemic diffusion and emergency demand in an anti-bioterrorism system

Unlike logistics management in which all the activities are triggered based on customer orders, emergency logistics network in an anti-bioterrorism system is triggered based on the epidemic diffusion network. The first important step for efficient emergency rescue is to depict the time-varying demand for emergency resources. In this article, two different epidemic diffusion models (SIQRS, SEIQRS) are analysed based on a small-world network. Thus, threshold of the epidemic diffusion and key parameters for controlling the epidemic diffusion are obtained. Then we propose a time-varying forecasting model for the demand for emergency resources in the epidemic area and we decompose the entire emergency rescue process into three mutually correlated substages. To each substage, we present a corresponding suggestion for emergency distribution based on the dynamic demand rule. Generally, these works can provide some guidelines for decision makers when coping with emergency rescue problems pertinent to bioterrorism.
Mobile Television in Italy: Value Chains and Business Models of Telecommunications Operators

Abstract This article explores the Italian mobile television market and analyzes the value chain and business models used by the main operators. As suggested by the term itself, mobile television involves the coming together of two different industries, telecommunications and broadcasting. In the author’s view, the business models for offering mobile television services will not rely only on broadcasters but telecommunications operators will have a key role, too. To illustrate these aspects, the article considers the Italian case representing one of the main developed mobile television industries at European level.
Ranking of optic disc variables for detection of glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

PURPOSE To describe optic disc variables assessed by evaluation of clinical optic disc photographs and to compare sensitivity and specificity of these optic disc parameters in identifying patients with ocular hypertension who have nerve fiber layer defects and normal visual fields and patients with visual field defects. METHODS The study included 500 normal subjects, 132 patients with ocular hypertension with retinal nerve fiber layer defects and normal visual fields (preperimetric glaucoma), and 840 patients with glaucomatous visual field defects. Color stereo optic disc photographs were morphometrically evaluated. RESULTS Highest diagnostic power for the separation between the normal group and the preperimetric glaucoma group had the vertical cup-to-disc diameter ratio corrected for its dependence on the optic disc size, total neuroretinal rim area, rim-to-disc area ratio corrected for disc size, and cup-to-disc area ratio corrected for disc size. Diagnostic power was lower for rim area in the temporal inferior and temporal superior disc sector, cup area corrected for disc size, and horizontal cup-to-disc diameter ratio corrected for disc size. Less useful for the differentiation between the normal subjects and the preperimetric glaucoma group were size of zones alpha and beta of parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy, and ratios of neuroretinal rim width and rim area comparing various optic disc sectors with each other. CONCLUSIONS In subjects with ocular hypertension with retinal nerve fiber layer defects and normal conventional achromatic visual fields, the vertical cup-to-disc diameter ratio corrected for optic disc size, total neuroretinal rim area, rim-to-disc area ratio, and cup-to-disc area ratio corrected for disc size are the most valuable optic disc variables for early detection of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Correction for optic disc size is necessary for optic disc variables directly or indirectly derived from the optic cup. Parapapillary atrophy is less important in the early detection of glaucoma.
Collecting and Analyzing Energy Data for Central America, Mexico and the World: A Data Science Project

Data Science is a developing computational field in Central America and Mexico. The high availability of data related to energy and economy through several international agencies provides an excellent opportunity to plan and execute research projects and test tools and techniques. Also, energy is an important subject of research from different perspectives: economic, social, human development, engineering, among others. We took the challenge of locating the sources, collecting the data, cleaning it, performing initial exploratory data analysis, and applying basic modeling techniques to get familiar with the data and understand the information and knowledge it provides in regard to the possible nexus between energy and economic growth. In this paper we present a first recount of the process and some of the insights obtained during its execution.
The application of reactive power control equipment in power system stability and security performance enhancement

The purpose of this paper is to study how to determine the number, sizes, and locations of reactive power control equipment to increase the power system global steady-state stability and security performance. The typical reactive power control equipment considered in this research is the mechanical switched shunt capacitor banks (SCBs) because SCBs are the most widely used reactive power control equipment in the power systems. Two algorithms are proposed in this paper. The first algorithm is used to do the proposed power system sensitivity analysis in order to reduce the computing burden by forming the most sensitive bus group (MSBG) with the buses in it are not only most sensitive of the bus voltage with respect to the change of load but also with heavy loading. The second algorithm is used to find the maximum values of the defined system global steady-state stability margin and security measure for adding the given SCB design plan at different bus location in MSBG. The results of the second algorithm will show the number, best sizes and locations of SCBs that can maximize the system global steady-state stability and security performance of the power systems. The proposed algorithms are employed to determine the number, size and locations of SCBs in 39-Bus New England power system.
Dynamics of dilute and semidilute DNA solutions in the start-up of shear flow

We have investigated the dynamics of dilute (10−5C*) and semidilute (⩽6C*) DNA solutions both in steady and in the start-up of shear flow by combining fluorescence microscopy, bulk rheological measurements, and Brownian dynamics simulations. First, the microscopic states, i.e., the conformational dynamics of single DNA molecules in solution during the start-up of shear flow, were examined by fluorescence microscopy. To investigate the macroscopic response resulting from the changes in the microscopic state, the bulk shear viscosity of the same DNA solutions was also measured. While the transient dynamics of individual molecules is highly variable, an overshoot in the ensemble-averaged molecular extension is observed above a critical Wi following an overshoot in shear viscosity for both dilute and semidilute DNA solutions. These two overshoots are further analyzed and explained on a physical basis from our simulation findings. Based on the physical picture, we have derived a simple scaling to predict the s.
Relation between rock uplift and denudation from cosmogenic nuclides in river sediment in the Central Alps of Switzerland

[1] A north-south traverse through the Swiss Central Alps reveals that denudation rates correlate with recent rock uplift rates in both magnitude and spatial distribution. This result emerges from a study of in situ–produced cosmogenic 10Be in riverborne quartz in Central Alpine catchments. As a prerequisite, we took care to investigate the potential influence of shielding from cosmic rays due to snow, glaciers, and topographic obstructions; to calculate a possible memory from Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) glaciation; and to identify a watershed size that is appropriate for systematic sampling. Mean denudation rates are 0.27 ± 0.14 mm/a for the Alpine foreland and 0.9 ± 0.3 mm/a for the crystalline Central Alps. The measured cosmogenic nuclide-derived denudation rates are in good agreement with post-LGM lake infill rates and are about twice as high as denudation rates from apatite fission track ages that record denudation from 9 to 5 Ma. In general, denudation rates are high in areas of high topography and high crustal thickness. The similarity in the spatial distribution and magnitude of denudation rates and those of rock uplift rates can be interpreted in several ways: (1) Postglacial rebound or climate change has introduced a transient change in which both uplift and denudation follow each other with a short lag time; (2) the amplitude of glacial to interglacial changes in both is small and is contained in the scatter of the data; (3) both are driven by ongoing convergence where their similarity might hint at some form of long-term quasi steady state; or (4) enhanced continuous Quaternary erosion and isostatic compensation of the mass removed accounts for the distribution of present-day rock uplift.
Development, Validation, and Implementation of an Innovative Mobile App for Alcohol Dependence Management: Protocol for the SIDEAL Trial

Background Information and communication technologies (ICT) have become one of the main pathways to the new paradigm of increased self-management of chronic conditions such as alcohol dependence. Validation of some mobile phone apps has begun, while validation of many others is forthcoming. Objective To describe the protocol for validation of a new app called SIDEAL (an acronym of the Spanish name “Soporte Innovador a la persona con DEpendencia del ALcohol,” or innovative support for people with alcohol dependence). Methods The project consists of 3 complementary, consecutive studies, including a pilot feasibility study, a qualitative study using focus groups, and, finally, a randomized controlled trial where patients will be randomized to standard treatment or standard treatment plus SIDEAL. During the pilot study, feasibility, usability, and acceptance by users will be the main outcomes explored. An electronic questionnaire will be sent to patients asking for their opinions. Focus groups will be the next step, after which improvements and refinements will be implemented in the app. During the final phase, consumption variables (heavy drinking days per month, mean standard drinks per day) will be investigated, in order to test app efficacy. Results Because of the encouraging results with previous similar apps, we expect patients to widely accept and incorporate SIDEAL into their therapeutic options. Significant reductions in drinking-related variables are also expected. The pilot study has concluded with the inclusion of 29 patients. Results are expected to be available soon (expected mid-2016). Conclusions SIDEAL may represent a useful, reliable, effective, and efficient tool to complement therapeutic options available to both patients and professionals.
Better Governance of Financial Institutions

Corporate governance of banks and other financial institutions differs considerably from general corporate governance. For financial institutions the scope of corporate governance goes beyond the shareholders (equity governance) to include debtholders, insurance policy holders and other creditors (debt governance). From the perspective of the supervision of financial institutions debt governance is the primary governance concern. Equity governance and debt governance face partly parallel and partly divergent interests of management, shareholders, debtholders and other creditors, and supervisors. Failures in the corporate governance of banks and other financial institutions contributed to the financial crisis. Corporate law reforms are less suited to achieve better governance of financial institutions, strengthening supervisory law requirements is more promising. Prominent proposals include clearer separation of the management and control function, possibly by a two-tier board as for Swiss and Belgian banks; establishment of a separate risk committee of the board or an independent chief risk officer; dealing with the problem of complex or opaque structure and organization; and group-wide corporate governance in single entities as well as in the group. Appropriate supervisory law requirements are needed for the internal procedures of banks and other financial institutions, specifically for risk management, internal control and compliance, and internal and external auditing. Supervisory fit and proper tests for the board, the management and major shareholders are useful. Qualification and experience of board members of banks and other financial institutions is more important than independence, though having a number of independent directors is useful. These and other requirements of the regulation and supervision of banks and other financial institutions concerning better governance are demanding and even severe, but necessary for regulated industries such as financial institutions. But the temptation to let them spill over indiscriminately to the corporate governance of the firm must be strictly resisted. This article analyses the economic, legal, and comparative research and covers the reforms by the European Commission, the European Banking Authority, CDR IV, and Solvency II up to the end of 2012.
Switching performance comparison of a power switch in a cascode configuration using a SuperJunction MOSFET

This paper is focused on the analysis of the cascode connection of Superjunction MOSFETs (SJ-FET) working as a high voltage normally-off power switch, based on Silicon technologies. In order to carry out this analysis, it will compare the cascode structure with the standalone connection, in which only one SJ-FET is used. The comparison is carried out in terms of switching behaviour, in order to verify if the cascode has a faster switching than a directly controlled SJ-FET. Experimental measurements are presented for both topologies working on a boost converter with an input voltage of 150 V, output voltage of 400 V, power range between 100 W and 400 W and a switching frequency range between 100 kHz and 400 kHz. Finally, an analysis of losses on the boost converter for both topologies is included.
Calibration of ray-tracing simulator for millimeter-wave outdoor communications

Ray-tracing (RT) simulator plays an important role in analyzing the channel characteristics of radio waves propagation environment. In this paper, the reflection coefficient of the existing ray-tracing simulator is calibrated based on the results measured in New York University's (NYU) Manhattan campus at 28 GHz. Both the dielectric constant and loss tangent parameters are optimized by calibration. As the measurement dimension is very limited, calibrated RT simulator can be used more effectively for the outdoor system design in millimeter-wave bands.
Food intolerance prevalence in active ulcerative colitis in southwest China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Food intolerance is believed to be a source of frequent medical problems in ulcerative colitis (UC), which closely correlate with patients' dietary pattern. Living in an underdeveloped area of China, residents in southwestern region have diverse dietary habits. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of food intolerance in the UC patients in this area and to discuss some of the possible risk factors leading to the condition. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN Food antibodies in serum of 80 patients with active UC were determined by standard enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). This study examined the risk factors contributing to high titers of food antibodies and the dietary patterns correlating with food intolerance in these demographics. RESULTS 83.8% of patients (67/80) were found to be seropositive for food intolerance. Patients of female, aged between 20 to 40 and the one who tended to have a high fat diet were tested to be highly seropositive (p<0.05). Neither spicy food intake nor the course the disease manifested any relationship with the presence of food intolerance (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Active UC patients in southwestern region of China have showed to be high seropositive in food intolerance, particularly in female and young patients. Dietary patterns with high in fat intake seem to have caused high prevalence of seropositivity in food intolerance. Although rice has been taken as staple food and the spicy food has been popular among citizen in this region, these foods have indicated to no effect on food intolerance in this study.
Elimination of echoes from voice communication

From the subscribes perspective, echo is arguably the worst type of impairment that can be encountered during a telephone conversation. The echo canceller's goal is to detect and remove echo as quickly and effectively, thereby minimizing any loss in voice quality. The echo canceller must perform this function under all conditions including double-talk (when both parties are speaking at the same time) and in the presence of background noise. Furthermore, the echo canceller must not cause detriment to signalling tones or fax and modem transmissions. In order to combat the echo phenomenon, an echo canceller is employed. Today's echo cancellers use sophisticated algorithms running on high speed Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) to combat the echo. The focus of this study is to develop an echo canceller by using Least Mean Square (LMS) adaptive filter. Simulink is used as the simulation tools, where the echo canceller can create a model of the echo path by sampling the voice signal that can estimates the echoes. This estimation subtracted from the incoming voice signal allowing normal speech to pass through. This is a very simplistic view, as echo cancellers need to have the capability to sample multiple echoes occurring at different times and at different levels.
A comparative study of consumer preferences for manufacturer or private labelled food products

2Simav Dairy Producer Union, Kutahya-Turkey. Accepted 8 October, 2009 The increasing competition in the global market has directed retailers to develop strategies both to continue operating and to obtain a greater share from the market. In this process until the present, private label brands have emerged alongside manufacturer brands in the retail market. The aim of this study is to compare the attitudes and preferences of consumers who purchase food products with manufacturer and private brands. In the study, 90% of the consumers in question are familiar with private brand food products. The quantity of purchased of private brand food products increases with household size. 75% of the consumers possess at least one shop card and a significant relationship between possession of a market card and age, gender, education level, income, household size, and occupation exists. The preferences of 55% of the consumers have been affected by brand loyalty. The percentage of consumers purchasing private brand food products is found to vary between 10 and 51% depending on the product. While the consumers who purchase manufacturer brand food products strongly agree with the idea that these are qualified products, they generally agree that private brand food products are cheap, not attractive and that their packaging is suitable. However, consumers who purchase private brand food products strongly agree that these are qualified, reliable, and cheap products. The consumers in both groups agree that manufacturer brand food products are more diverse, more attractively and carefully displayed, more familiar, more widely available, fresher and have a high brand image.
Creating Local Brands in Multilingual International Markets

Despite the importance of decisions regarding international brand names, research on brand naming has focused primarily on English name creation. The authors conceptualize the local brand-name creation process in a multilingual international market. The authors present a framework that incorporates (1) a linguistic analysis of three translation methods—phonetic (i.e., by sound), semantic (i.e., by meaning), and phonosemantic (i.e., by sound plus meaning)—and (2) a cognitive analysis focusing on the impact of primes and expectations on consumer name evaluations. Using dual English-and-Chinese brand names, the authors show that the effectiveness of the translation depends on the emphasis of the original English name (versus the Chinese name) and the method of translation used previously for brand names within the same category.
reinsurance analysis with respect to its impact on the performance: evidence from non-life insurers in Pakistan

This article is based on the relationship that exists between the reinsurance and performance of domestic non-life stock insurers currently operating in the private sector in Pakistan. Reinsurance is important because it helps to stabilize the earnings level, reduce the risk of insolvency and increase the underwriting capacity of the direct insurer. Because of these advantages most of the insurance companies make extensive use of it, which negatively affects their performance. Pakistan is a developing country currently suffering from a highly dynamic environment and critical economic conditions and requires an insurance industry that helps it in coping with such a situation. So, this article examines whether the reinsurance practice positively affects the performance of non-life direct insurers in Pakistan or conversely, has any negative effect on them. Reinsurance utilization and dependence and exposure of reinsurance (independent variables) have been analyzed with respect to their impact on certain firm’s performance indicators, such as; Loss Ratio, Expense Ratio and Firm Size (dependent variables). Secondary data has been taken from the annual reports of insurance companies over the 10 year period s from 2002 to 2011 and three econometric models have been used for panel data regression analysis i.e. the Pooled Regression Model, the Fixed Effect Model and the Random Effect Model. The results of this study are consistent with previous studies performed in other parts of the world. The results indicate that reinsurance utilization improves the performance of the firm while dependence and exposure of reinsurance reduce its performance.