Direct stenting with the Bx VELOCITY balloon-expandable stent mounted on the Raptor rapid exchange delivery system versus predilatation in a European randomized Trial: the VELVET trial.

Abstract AIMS: This study examined the six-month angiographic results of direct coronary stenting, and compared the nine-month safety, efficacy and cost of this strategy versus stenting after balloon predilatation. METHODS: In phase I of VELVET, 122 patients (mean age = 62.3 +/- 10.1 years, 77% male, 11% with diabetes) with angina pectoris or myocardial ischemia resulting from a single de novo 51% to 95% coronary stenosis underwent direct stenting. The endpoints of phase I included angiographic findings and rates of major adverse cardiac events up to six months of follow-up. In phase II, 401 patients (mean age = 61.3 +/- 10.8 years, 79% male, 16% with diabetes) with angina pectoris or documented myocardial ischemia resulting from single or multiple, de novo or restenotic, coronary lesions were randomized between direc

Dynamic General Equilibrium Taxation Model and Business Cycle Accounting

The purpose of the paper is to evaluate the degree to which Dynamic General Equilibrium Taxation (DGET) models account for Japanese macroeconomic variable using Business Cycle Accounting (BCA). BCA can produce from endogenous variables (observations) four exogenous variables (wedges) in a dual way. The empirical analysis demonstrates that our DGET model can succeed in producing labor wedges of BCA, but not investment ones. That is, it can explain intratemporal allocations between consumption and leisure to some degree, but not intertemporal allocations in capital markets. この論文の目的は，動学的一般均衡租税（Dynamic General Equilibrium Taxation, DGET）モデルが，日本経済のマクロ変数をどれだけ説明しているかを，景気循環会計（Business Cycle Accounting, BCA）を用いて評価することである。BCAによって，内生変数である観測値から，ウェッジと呼ばれる4つの外生変数が双対的に作り出される。得られた結論は，DGETモデルは BCAの労働ウェッジを作り出すことに成功しているが，投資ウェッジを作り出せていない，ということである。つまり，同時点内での消費と余暇の配分についてある程度説明しているが，資本市場での異時点間の配分については説明力が乏しいことが明らかになった

A Qualitative Exploration of the Use of Contraband Cell Phones in Secured Facilities

Offenders accepting contraband cell phones in secured facilities violate state corrections law, and the possession of these cell phones is a form of risk taking behavior. When offenders continue this risky behavior, it affects their decision making in other domains where they are challenging authorities; and may impact the length of their incarceration. This qualitative phenomenological study examined the lived experience of ex-offenders who had contraband cell phones in secured correctional facilities in order to better understand their reasons for taking risks with contraband cell phones. The theoretical foundation for this study was Trimpop\u27s risk-homeostasis and risk-motivation theories that suggest an individual\u27s behaviors adapt to negotiate between perceived risk and desired risk in order to achieve satisfaction. The research question explored beliefs and perceptions of ex-offenders who chose to accept the risk of using contraband cell phones during their time in secured facilities. Data were collected anonymously through recorded telephone interviews with 8 male adult ex-offenders and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Findings indicated participants felt empowered by possession of cell phones in prison, and it was an acceptable risk to stay connected to family out of concern for loved ones. The study contributes to social change by providing those justice system administrators, and prison managers responsible for prison cell phone policies with more detailed information about the motivations and perspectives of offenders in respect to using contraband cell phones while imprisoned in secured facilities