Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participation … for what Purpose? Analysing the Depth and Quality of Public Participation in the Integrated Development Planning Process in Gauteng

This article emanates from a study that assessed the depth and quality of public participation in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) process and its impact on decision-making by officials, commissioned by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Local Government.1 It begins with a detailed analysis of the (voluminous) literature regarding public participation in development projects, starting with Arnstein's famous ‘ladder’, and seeks to understand where participation in South Africa is located on that ladder—at the base, where it rubber-stamps official decisions, or towards the top, where emancipatory notions are at play and power shifts from the bureaucracy to the people. The paper talks to issues of elite capture at one end, and debates about deliberative democracy and ‘invited’ spaces at the other. The paper includes findings from fieldwork that gave rise to a series of practical recommendations as well as broader recommendations about what is needed if participation in South Africa is to move to a (considerably) higher plane than it has currently reached, which the authors believe to be necessary, and thereby form a key part of the post-apartheid project. It concludes by arguing that participation involves more than drawing people into existing political and/or development processes; it transforms those processes in ways that boost people's opportunities and capacities generally to claim their rights. It therefore becomes an aspect of a wider transformative and redistributive project. It is not enough to redesign or adjust processes beforehand in order to facilitate greater participation; they must be amenable to being reshaped by participation.
Seasonality in Fund Performance: An Examination of the Portfolio Holdings and Trades of Investment Managers

This study examines the extent to which seasonal variation arises across calendar months in the performance of active Australian equity managers. While it is well documented that there is seasonality in equity market returns, it is unknown whether calendar month variation in managed fund performance exists. Employing a unique database of monthly stock holdings, we find evidence consistent with systematic variation in the risk-adjusted performance of active investment managers over the calendar year. Specifically, we find fund performance is higher in the months when corporate earnings are announced. We also document that the performance of fund managers is lower in the months preceding the tax year-end. Finally, we report evidence that investment manager performance is greater than normal in December, possibly due to both window dressing and the Christmas holiday effect. These findings have important implications for investors attempting to exploit anomalies in fund returns by timing their entry and exit points from active equity funds.
The micro-politics of parental involvement in school education in Hong Kong: ethnocentrism, utilitarianism or policy rhetoric!

The impact of parental involvement on school management has been recognized by many education professionals and policy-makers. Thus parental involvement in school education becomes one of the prime focuses in the current education reform movement in Hong Kong. Particularly, specific guidelines and policies for involving parents at various levels of children’s education have been spelled out in many governmental policy documents. This article reports on an interpretive study that explores the micro-politics of parental involvement in school education in two primary schools in Hong Kong. By analyzing the interviews with 14 parents, eight teachers and two principals, together with the field-notes of participant observations in two case study schools, three propositions of power relations between parents and teaching professionals emerge. The findings indicate that in the process of encouraging parents’ participation in school education, teaching professionals demonstrated ethnocentric attitudes towards parents; the notion of “parents as resources” were for pragmatic purposes; and the conception of “parents-as-school-governors” was of policy rhetoric in the process of implementation of home–school cooperation.
Popliteal Vein Aneurysm: A Case Report and Review of Literature

The authors report a case of popliteal vein aneurysm (PVA) in a healthy patient who presented with symptoms and review the literature. A 40-year-old healthy male presented with hypoxia secondary to pulmonary emboli. He underwent diagnostic tests revealing a suprageniculate saccular PVA, which was treated by aneurysmectomy and lateral venorrhaphy. A follow-up duplex scan after 18 months showed patent popliteal vein in an asymptomatic patient. A review of 120 cases identified revealed that the most common presentation of PVA is because of thromboembolic complications, often having saccular morphology. Patients were at risk of thromboembolic complications whether intraluminal thrombi were present (63% of the cases) or not. Patients treated with anticoagulation alone had a failure rate of 43%, with thromboembolic complications. Surgical repair of PVA—regardless of the aneurysm size—should be considered in all patients to decrease the risk of thromboembolization.
Statistical properties of eigenvectors in non-Hermitian Gaussian random matrix ensembles

Statistical properties of eigenvectors in non-Hermitian random matrix ensembles are discussed, with an emphasis on correlations between left and right eigenvectors. Two approaches are described. One is an exact calculation for Ginibre’s ensemble, in which each matrix element is an independent, identically distributed Gaussian complex random variable. The other is a simpler calculation using N−1 as an expansion parameter, where N is the rank of the random matrix: this is applied to Girko’s ensemble. Consequences of eigenvector correlations which may be of physical importance in applications are also discussed. It is shown that eigenvalues are much more sensitive to perturbations than in the corresponding Hermitian random matrix ensembles. It is also shown that, in problems with time evolution governed by a non-Hermitian random matrix, transients are controlled by eigenvector correlations.
Ras Protein Contributes to Cerebral Vasospasm in a Canine Double-Hemorrhage Model

Background and Purpose— Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In the present study we examined the role of Ras protein, an upstream regulator of MAPK, and the effects of the inhibitors of Ras farnesyltransferase (FTase), FTI-277 and FTase inhibitor I, on angiographic vasospasm and clinical evaluations. Methods— Twenty-five dogs were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, SAH, SAH+dimethyl sulfoxide, SAH+FTI-277, and SAH+FTase inhibitor I. An established canine double-hemorrhage model of SAH was used by injecting autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna on days 0 and 2. Angiography was performed at days 0 and 7. Clinical behavior and the activation of Ras (GTP-Ras) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 of MAPK in the basilar arteries were examined. Results— Severe vasospasm was obtained in the SAH and SAH+dimethyl sulfoxide dogs (42.5±2.5% and 38.9±2.4%, respectively). Enhanced GTP-Ras and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were observed in the spastic basilar arteries (P <0.05). Inhibitors of Ras FTase decreased GTP-Ras and phosphorylated ERK1/2, attenuated angiographic vasospasm, and improved appetite and activity scores. Conclusions— Ras contributes to cerebral vasospasm, and inhibitors of Ras FTase may have potential in the management of cerebral vasospasm.
‘I'm going to kill myself if you don't …’: contextual aspects of suicide in Australian Aboriginal communities

Aboriginal suicidal behaviours in remote Australia present as very different phenomena to suicidal behaviours in mainstream Australian society. Multiple suicide threats and behaviours often appear to express ways of executing violence or retaliation, rather than the immediate wish to die. This may be a response to the lack of choices in the face of an historical context of intergenerational trauma, grief and loss. Aboriginal youth are grasping the possibility of death, and the threat of dying, as a violent means to gain control over their lives. This enactment of agency can give instant ‘power’ to those violent and vulnerable enough to use it. Using examples of such a suicidal crisis common within these communities, this paper argues that those who work within Australian Aboriginal communities need to better understand the continuing impacts of colonialism and inter-generational trauma and ‘decolonisation’. Further, the approach taken in providing services to communities may need to be adapted from the more orthodox approach of linear referral pathways. Understanding the importance of cultural context and place allows for a more dynamic and beneficial therapeutic relationship to be formed. It may also help to more effectively facilitate support for healthcare workers.
Psychosocial Aspect, Frequency and Intercorrelation of Students` Health Risk Behaviours / Psihosocijalni aspekt, čestotnost i međupovezanost rizičnih zdravstvenih ponašanja studenata

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the frequency and intercorrelation of health risk behaviours and their relationship with personal and social factors. The sample consisted of 268 students from the Faculty of Education in Vojvodina. The data was collected by means of the Health Risk Behavior Scale, the inventory “Big Five” and questions about the sources of information and health behaviour models. The most frequent health risk behaviour among students was alcohol consumption. Certain health risk behaviours were rather frequent among boys, younger students and students from urban environments. Students who thought that their family and friends took care of their health did not portray many risk behaviours related to diet. Extraverted students had a greater tendency to use illegal substances and students with low agreeableness were more prone to risky sexual behaviours. Students with low levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness were less physically active. There is an evident need to monitor health risk behaviours among students and take the appropriate preventive measures.Key words: health; personality; social factors; youth. ---SažetakCilj ovoga istraživanja bio je utvrditi čestotnost i međupovezanost rizičnih zdravstvenih ponašanja i njihovu povezanost s osobnim i društvenim čimbenicima. Uzorak se sastojao od 268 studenata s Učiteljskog fakulteta u Vojvodini. Podatci su prikupljeni uz pomoć Health Risk Behavior skale, inventara “Big Five” i pitanja o izvorima informacija o modelima zdravstvenog ponašanja. Najčešći oblik rizičnog zdravstvenog ponašanja među studentskom populacijom bila je konzumacija alkohola. Određena rizična zdravstvena ponašanja bila su prilično česta među mladićima, mlađim studentima i studentima iz urbanih sredina. Studenti koji su smatrali da se članovi njihove obitelji i prijatelji brinu za svoje zdravlje, nisu pokazivali puno rizičnih zdravstvenih ponašanja vezanih uz prehranu. Ekstrovertirani studenti imali su veću tendenciju upotrebi ilegalnih supstanci, a studenti s niskim stupnjem ugodnosti bili su skloniji rizičnim spolnim ponašanjima. Studenti s niskim razinama ekstrovertnosti, savjesnosti i otvorenosti bili su i manje tjelesno aktivni. Vidljiva je potreba za praćenjem rizičnih zdravstvenih ponašanja među studentima i za poduzimanjem primjerenih preventivnih mjera. Ključne riječi: zdravlje; osobnost; društveni čimbenici; mladi
Expression of GAD67 and Dlx5 in the taste buds of mice genetically lacking Mash1.

It has been reported that a subset of type III taste cells express glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)67, which is a molecule that synthesizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and that Mash1 could be a potential regulator of the development of GABAnergic neurons via Dlx transcription factors in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the expression of GAD67 and Dlx in the embryonic taste buds of the soft palate and circumvallate papilla using Mash1 knockout (KO)/GAD67-GFP knock-in mice. In the wild-type animal, a subset of type III taste cells contained GAD67 in the taste buds of the soft palate and the developing circumvallate papilla, whereas GAD67-expressing taste bud cells were missing from Mash1 KO mice. A subset of type III cells expressed mRNA for Dlx5 in the wild-type animals, whereas Dlx5-expressing cells were not evident in the apical part of the circumvallate papilla and taste buds in the soft palate of Mash1 KO mice. Our results suggest that Mash1 is required for the expression of GAD67 and Dlx5 in taste bud cells.
Beyond conservation agriculture

Global support for Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a pathway to Sustainable Intensification is strong. CA revolves around three principles: no-till (or minimal soil disturbance), soil cover, and crop rotation. The benefits arising from the ease of crop management, energy/cost/time savings, and soil and water conservation led to widespread adoption of CA, particularly on large farms in the Americas and Australia, where farmers harness the tools of modern science: highly-sophisticated machines, potent agrochemicals, and biotechnology. Over the past 10 years CA has been promoted among smallholder farmers in the (sub-) tropics, often with disappointing results. Growing evidence challenges the claims that CA increases crop yields and builds-up soil carbon although increased stability of crop yields in dry climates is evident. Our analyses suggest pragmatic adoption on larger mechanized farms, and limited uptake of CA by smallholder farmers in developing countries. We propose a rigorous, context-sensitive approach based on Systems Agronomy to analyze and explore sustainable intensification options, including the potential of CA. There is an urgent need to move beyond dogma and prescriptive approaches to provide soil and crop management options for farmers to enable the Sustainable Intensification of agriculture.
Are beginning teachers ready for the job? The development and validation of an instrument to measure the basic skills of beginning secondary teachers

Society has become more complex in recent decades, and this has increased the demands placed on the educational system and the teaching profession. This study focuses on the development and validation of an instrument that measures the basic skills of beginning teachers. The instrument was developed according to scientific knowledge on teacher skills and their legal context as described by the Flemish government. Teacher competencies are measured along three aspects: behaviour, capability and beliefs. Construct validation took place in two rounds, using data obtained from a survey of beginning secondary teachers that was conducted in September 2008 and June 2009. Exploratory factor analyses with oblique rotation resulted in 12 reliable scales, containing a total of 60 items. The instrument can be used in teacher‐training institutes to explore the basic skills of graduating students. It can also be used in schools to initiate a process of reflection amongst beginning teachers and to adapt the induction programme to the needs of each beginning teacher.
Meta-heuristic range based node localization algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

Accurate location of target nodes is highly desirable in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) as it has a strong impact on overall performance of the WSN. This paper proposes the application of H-Best Particle Swarm Optimization (HPSO) and Biogeography Based Optimization (BBO) algorithms for distributed optimal localization of randomly deployed sensors. The proposed HPSO algorithm is modeled for fast and mature convergence, though previous PSO models had only fast convergence but less mature. Biogeography is a school work (collective learning) of geographical allotment of biological organisms. BBO has a new inclusive vigor based on the science of biogeography and employs migration operator to share information between different habitats, i.e., problem solutions. WSN localization problem is formulated as an NP-Hard optimization problem because of its size and complexity. In this work, an error model is described for estimation of optimal node location in a manner such that the location error is minimized using HPSO and BBO algorithms. Proposed HPSO and BBO algorithms are matured to optimize the sensors' locations and perform better as compared to the existing optimization algorithms such as Genetic Algorithms (GAs), and Simulated Annealing Algorithm (SAA). Comparative study reveals that the HPSO yields improved performance in terms of faster, matured, and accurate localization as compared to global best (gbest) PSO. The performance results on experimental sensor network data demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms by comparing the performance in terms of the number of nodes localized, localization accuracy and computation time.
Changes in externalizing and internalizing behaviours over a school‐year: differences between 6‐year‐old boys and girls

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in externalizing and internalizing problem behaviours in 6-year-olds with a focus on sex differences. Teachers rated problem behaviours at the beginning and at the end of the school year, 8 months apart, in 370 children (197 boys and 173 girls) attending 22 school preparatory classrooms. Although the majority of the children were quite stable, considerable negative and positive changes for both boys and girls in problem behaviours were found. The results showed that girls were more likely to change their externalizing behaviours in a positive direction than boys, whereas a tendency to the opposite pattern was found for internalizing behaviours. Boys were also found to be more prone to a negative change in problem behaviours of both types than girls were. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Networking : Social capital and identities in European rural development

Based on empirical research in case study areas in six European countries, this paper examines the roles of social capital and identity in contemporary rural development. We argue that a focus on networks of social relationships can help us understand the dynamics of and relationships between social capital and identity. Comparing the case study areas, we draw attention to the position of identity in rural development and focus in particular on area-branding initiatives. Other non-agricultural networks are then presented, prefaced by a brief discussion of the role of governance. We argue that development emerges from a dialectic of existing networking practices and networks that are instigated for the purposes of development. Our research underlines the importance of social process in rural development, particularly in regard to the relationship between continuity and change.
Association of type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune disorders in Brazilian children and adolescents

Context: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is caused by an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Other autoimmune diseases can be observed in association with T1DM. The screening for celiac disease (CD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is necessary due to the increased prevalence of these pathologies in T1DM patients. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of autoimmune markers for pancreatitis, thyroiditis, and CD in racially admixtured children and adolescents with T1DM. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional clinic-based study. Methods: Seventy-one patients with T1DM (average: 11.6 ± 5.1 years). In all patients, the following antibodies were surveyed: Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (anti-GAD), immunoglobulin A (IgA) anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG), Antithyroglobulin (AAT), anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and IgA. Statistical Analysis Used: The quantitative variables were expressed as a mean and standard deviation and the qualitative variables in contingency tables. Student's t-test and χ2 tests were used to assess the differences between the groups. The level of significance was established as P < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of anti-GAD antibodies was 5.9%; anti-tTG IgA, 7.4%; anti-TPO, 11.8%; and AAT, 11.8%. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with T1DM have increased the prevalence of antithyroid and CD-related antibodies. The positivity for anti-GAD and antithyroid antibodies was less frequent than in other studies. The prevalence of anti-tTG antibodies was similar to the literature.
Review of diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of fetal atrial flutter compared with supraventricular tachycardia

Objective: To review the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of fetal atrial flutter compared with supraventricular tachycardia. Design: Retrospective review of published reports: 11 papers about fetal tachyarrhythmia published between 1991 and 2002 were selected for review. Main outcome measures: All selected studies were analysed for the type of arrhythmia, degree of atrioventricular block in atrial flutter, occurrence of hydrops fetalis, gestational age at diagnosis, first and second line drug treatment, associated cardiac and extracardiac malformations, and mortality of the fetuses. Results: Atrial flutter accounted for 26.2% of all cases of fetal tachyarrhythmias, and supraventricular tachycardia for 73.2%. Hydrops fetalis was reported in 38.6% and 40.5% of fetuses with atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia, respectively (NS). Hydropic fetuses with atrial flutter had higher ventricular rates (median 240 beats/min, range 240–300) than non-hydropic fetuses (220 beats/min, range 200–310) (p = 0.02), whereas the atrial rates were not significantly different (median 450 beats/min, range 370–500). Digoxin treatment resulted in a higher conversion rate in non-hydropic fetuses with fetal tachyarrhythmias than in hydropic fetuses (p < 0.001). The overall mortality of atrial flutter was similar to that of supraventricular tachycardia, at 8.0% v 8.9% (p = 0.7). Conclusions: The prevalence of hydrops fetalis did not differ in fetal atrial flutter and supraventricular tachycardia with 1:1 conduction. There was no difference between the response rate to digoxin in fetus with atrial flutter or supraventricular tachycardia. Mortality was similar in the two types of tachyarrhythmia.
Chinese Nurses' Acceptance of PDA: A Cross-Sectional Survey Using a Technology Acceptance Model

This study explores Chinese nurses' acceptance of PDA, using a questionnaire based on the framework of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). 357 nurses were involved in the study. The results reveal the scores of the nurses' acceptance of PDA were means 3.18~3.36 in four dimensions. The younger of nurses, the higher nurses' title, the longer previous usage time, the more experienced using PDA, and the more acceptance of PDA. Therefore, the hospital administrators may change strategies to enhance nurses' acceptance of PDA, and promote the wide application of PDA.
Ultrastructure of Lymphocystis Virus

Lymphocystis virus obtained from bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) was cultured in the permanent bluegill cell line BF-2 and examined by electron microscopy in ultrathin sections of cell cultures and in negative-contrast preparations from cells and from centrifuged culture medium. According to negative-contrast preparations, the icosahedral virions have an overall diameter close to but not exceeding 300 mμ. Delicate filaments seem to issue from the vertices. In collapsed virions, an ordered array of morphological units was seen. Positively contrasted virions in ultrathin sections show a shell with three dark (heavy metal-stained) layers alternating with and separated by two clear layers. The acquisition of an additional outer membrane during release from the cell, as found in African swine fever virus, was never seen. Morphologically, lymphocystis virus is considered to be closely related to Tipula iridescent virus.