Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family Intervention Projects: A Site of Social Work Practice

Family Intervention Projects (FIPs) provide intensive support to ‘problem families’ and are a core element of the Government's Respect Action Plan (2006). Drawing on recent research findings from an independent evaluation of the FIP ‘Signpost’, this paper aims to offer a new insight into our understanding of FIPs. The paper draws attention to two key points. First, the organizational context within which Signpost has emerged is one dominated by a social work ethos. It is suggest that the FIP has been implemented in a way which has provided social work professionals with an opportunity to engage in the kind of creative practice that proceduralization, bureaucracy and managerialism have made impossible to achieve in mainstream social work arenas. Following on from this, the paper emphasizes the limitations of evaluating anti-social behaviour policy effects without due consideration of the local policy and practice context within which policies are embedded. The paper is not intended to discount important critical reflections on FIPs, but seeks to illustrate the gaps that can open up between political rhetoric and policy effect, demonstrating why we should not be too quick to foreclose the possibilities afforded to vulnerable families by this type of intervention.
Investigating the Connection Between Transit-Oriented Development and Displacement: Four Hypotheses

Transit-oriented development (TOD) has become a predominant planning model in many cities. However, although access to public transit is often seen as benefiting low-income groups, in some cities community groups have challenged TOD plans on the grounds that they could cause gentrification and displacement. Yet, empirical studies have found little evidence that gentrification actually causes displacement. This article examines the connection between TOD and displacement in urban areas and seeks to make sense of the apparent discrepancy between community opposition to TOD and the empirical findings on displacement. Four explanations are considered: methodological shortcomings in existing studies, insufficient attention to social and psychological forms of displacement, potential transportation cost savings, and use of TOD plans as a policy target. The fourth explanation is illustrated using an example from the San Francisco Bay Area of California. This article aims to synthesize literature on these previously separate topics and to illuminate paths for future research.
The Spatial Extent of Water Quality Benefits in Urban Housing Markets

Water quality regulation continues to be controversial, as demonstrated by recent litigation between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Florida over nutrient standards. While the costs of standards are usually known, benefits may be diverse and difficult to identify. This study investigates the effects of enhanced water quality on both waterfront and nonwaterfront property prices, using hedonic models within an urban market. Findings indicate (1) the value of increased water quality depends upon the property’s location and proximity to waterfront, and the surface area of the water body; and (2) aggregate benefits to nonwaterfront homes may dominate those realized by waterfront homeowners. (JEL Q51, Q53)
Analyzing multimodal public sentiment based on hierarchical semantic attentional network

Public sentiment is regarded as an important measure for event detection, information security, policy making etc. Analyzing public sentiments relies more and more on large amount of multimodal contents, in contrast to the traditional text-based and image-based sentiment analysis. However, most previous works directly extract feature from image as the additional information for text modality and then merge these features for multimodal sentiment analysis. More detailed semantic information in image, like image caption which contains useful semantic components for sentiment analysis, has been ignored. In this paper, we propose a Hierarchical Semantic Attentional Network based on image caption, HSAN, for multimodal sentiment analysis. It has a hierarchical structure that reflects the hierarchical structure of tweet and uses image caption to extract visual semantic feature as the additional information for text in multimodal sentiment analysis task. We also introduce the attention with context mechanism, which learns to consider the context information for encoding. The experiments on two public available datasets show the effectiveness of our model.
Attracting gold-collar workers: comparing organizational attractiveness and work-related values across generations in China, India and Thailand

This study aimed to develop our understanding of how generational differences in work-related values interact with those attributed to a national culture by investigating workers' perception of organizational attractiveness in India, China and Thailand. The results show significant differences between different generations within cultures and between the same generations across cultures. By developing an impression of cultural and generational value sets from the ground up, we hope to have captured the current state of the acculturation processes in those countries, which may be useful for similar studies as well as to help HR managers in making specific recommendations regarding their recruitment and talent development initiatives in that part of the world.
Food Purchasing From Farmers’ Markets and Community-Supported Agriculture Is Associated With Reduced Weight and Better Diets in a Population-Based Sample

This study examines associations between local food purchasing and diet-related outcomes. A population-based sample of 2228 households containing 4902 individuals completed surveys. Multilevel linear regressions determined the extent to which purchasing foods from farmers’ markets and community-supported agricultural (CSA) groups predicted individuals’ diet-related outcomes. After controlling for age, sex, education, income, and car ownership, frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and CSAs predicted lower body mass index, B = −0.34 (0.66), P < . 05 and B = −0.81 (0.37), P < . 05, respectively, and waist circumference, B = −1.09 (0.40), P < . 01 and B = −2.31 (0.96), P < . 05, respectively, and better diet quality (for CSA use only), B = 3.46 (1.57), P < . 05. Higher frequency of shopping at farmers’ markets and CSAs is associated with reduced body mass index and waist circumference, which may have important implications for agricultural and food policy.
Assessment of diabetes knowledge in trained and untrained ward nurses before and after intensive specialist support

Article points 1. The authors assessed diabetes knowledge among registered general nurses, healthcare assistants and student nurses in three hospitals and a university in their Trust. 2. Knowledge levels were insufficient for safe care of inpatients with diabetes, particularly when answering questions relevant to the practical management of the condition. 3. However, a 3-month intervention comprising regular structured teaching sessions and scheduled support visits from DSNs improved knowlege scores.
Illness-related factors, stress and coping strategies in relation to psychological distress in HIV-infected persons in Hong Kong

Abstract This study examined the relationships among illness-related factors, stress, coping strategies and psychological distress in HIV-infected persons in Hong Kong (N=118). Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the models of psychological distress as a function of demographic factors, illness-related factors, psychosocial stressors and coping. Results showed that positive thinking was inversely related to psychological distress and avoidance was associated with higher level of anxiety. However, the use of problem solving was found to be inversely related to anxiety. Results are discussed in the context of Chinese culture and the service in Hong Kong.
Probability of malignancy in solitary pulmonary nodules using fluorine-18-FDG and PET.

UNLABELLED Nearly one-third of solitary pulmonary nodules are radiographically indeterminate for the presence of malignancy. METHODS FDG-PET imaging was used to differentiate benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules in 61 patients with radiographically indeterminate nodules. After confirmation of the histological diagnosis, the probability for cancer was established for positive and negative PET scans and compared to the risk estimates calculated using other patient variables. RESULTS FDG-PET had a sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of 93%, 88% and 92%, respectively, for detecting malignancy in indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules. The probability of malignancy with a positive PET scan is 83%, which increases with the patient's age (90% in >60 yr) and the size of the nodule. A negative PET scan is associated with only a 4.7% risk of malignancy. FDG-PET also accurately characterized hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 12 patients with associated lymph node lesions. CONCLUSION FDG-PET imaging can be a useful noninvasive test to determine the risk estimate or probability of cancer as well as preoperative staging in patients with radiographically indeterminate solitary pulmonary nodules.
Determinants of the Upsurge in M1 Demand in Japan: Evidence from Household-Level Analysis

This paper investigates why M1 demand rose rapidly in Japan between 1996 and 2002 by applying household analysis. We find that: (1) aging and a widening income gap are responsible for around 10 － 30% of the overall rise in household M1 demand; (2) the growth in M1 demand in households whose head is aged 50 or over and that in poor households account for 70 － 90% of overall growth in M1 demand; and (3) households in which M1 demand rises significantly have relatively high interest elasticities of M1 demand.
An Investigation of Factors Influencing the Association between Top Management Ownership and Earnings Management

This study conjectures and shows that the level of top management stock ownership is non-monotonically associated with managers' propensity to manage earnings. Increasing ownership from low levels decreases earnings management while ownership at high levels increases earnings management. Further, this study attempts to discern when the effects of management ownership are more salient for the firm. The results of this exploratory analysis of 15,945 firm observations over a six-year period show that the non-monotonic association between top management ownership and earnings management is significant, and hence more important, for the firm characteristics of low growth opportunities, high operating volatility, small size, frequent losses, high-technology, and low institutional ownership.
Intraocular Pressure Instrument Reading Comparisons After LASIK

Purpose. To evaluate the agreement between intraocular pressure (IOP) readings measured by the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and corrected Goldmann applanation tonometry (cGAT), derived from the “gold standard” for the clinical measurement of IOP, in eyes of subjects who have undergone laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The effects of corneal biomechanical properties on IOP were also evaluated. Methods. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The IOP of 148 eyes of 148 patients who have undergone LASIK was measured by the ORA and GAT one after another. cGAT was calculated according to a correction formula for IOP after LASIK. Central corneal thicknesses and corneal curvature (K value) were also measured. Corneal hysteresis and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured by the ORA. Results. For the postoperative subjects, whose ages ranged from 18 to 37 years, the average IOP readings for GAT, cGAT, IOPg, IOPcc were 10.09 ± 2.43, 13.34 ± 2.52, 9.79 ± 2.52, 13.91 ± 2.26 mm Hg, respectively. The mean difference between IOPcc and cGAT was 0.63 ± 1.31 mm Hg (p < 0.05). The upper and lower limits of agreement between the IOPcc and cGAT were +3.2 and −1.9 mm Hg. There was a significant correlation between cGAT and CRF; however, no significant correlation could be found between cGAT and corneal hysteresis. Conclusions. After being corrected for central corneal thinkness, curvature of the corneal anterior surface and reduced biomechanical bending strength of the cornea, the IOP reading obtained by GAT is in fair agreement with that obtained by IOPcc, which may be helpful for IOP readings in subjects after LASIK. CRF might be a factor that affects accurate IOP readings.
The Case for Intervening in Bankers' Pay

This paper studies banker remuneration in a competitive market for banker talent. I model, and then calibrate, the default risk of the banks generated by investments and remuneration pressures. Competing banks prefer to pay their banking staff in bonuses and not in wages as risk sharing on the remuneration bill is valuable. But competition for bankers generates a negative externality driving up rival banks' default risk. Optimal financial regulation involves an appropriately structured limit on the proportion of the balance sheet used for bonuses. However stringent bonus caps are value destroying, default risk enhancing and cannot be optimal for regulators who control only a small number of banks. The paper allows an assessment of the intellectual arguments behind widespread calls to regulate the pay of bankers. The paper uses US data to calibrate the analysis and demonstrate the significant contribution of remuneration to default risk.
Board Committee Meetings and Firm Financial Performance: An Investigation of Australian Companies

This article examines how the frequency of board committee meetings impacts on Australian firms' financial performance. Data were collected from 118 Australian listed companies – including 26 financial firms and 92 nonfinancial firms – for the period 1999–2007. Analysis of that data shows that the frequencies of audit committee meetings and remuneration committee meetings are positively and significantly associated with return on equity and return on assets. The frequencies of risk committee meetings do not show any significant effects on the financial performance of Australian firms. Estimated results are found to be robust after controlling for internal as well as external governance mechanisms that might affect Australian firm performance.
Serum vitamin D levels and incident changes of radiographic hip osteoarthritis: a longitudinal study. Study of Osteoporotic Fractures Research Group.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of serum levels of 25-vitamin D and 1,25-vitamin D to incident changes of radiographic hip osteoarthritis (OA) among elderly white women. METHODS Baseline and followup hip radiographs of 237 subjects were obtained an average of 8 years apart. Hips were scored for individual radiographic features (IRF) and assigned a summary grade based on the number and type of IRF present. Serum 25- and 1,25-vitamin D levels from baseline samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. Logistic and linear regression were used to examine the association of 25- and 1,25-vitamin D levels with radiographic changes, adjusting for age, health status, physical activity, weight, vitamin D supplement use, and calcaneal bone mineral density. RESULTS The risk of incident hip OA defined as the development of definite joint space narrowing was increased for subjects who were in the middle (odds ratio [OR] 3.21, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.06, 9.68) and lowest (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.13, 9.86) tertiles for 25-vitamin D compared with subjects in the highest tertile. Vitamin D levels were not associated with incident hip OA defined as the development of definite osteophytes or new disease according to the summary grade. No association between serum 1,25-vitamin D and changes in radiographic hip OA was found. CONCLUSION Low serum levels of 25-vitamin D may be associated with incident changes of radiographic hip OA characterized by joint space narrowing.
Obatoclax Induces G1/G0‐Phase Arrest via p38/p21waf1/Cip1 Signaling Pathway in Human Esophageal Cancer Cells

Pan‐Bcl‐2 family inhibitor obatoclax has been demonstrated to be effective against various cancers, of which the mechanism of action is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that obatoclax suppressed esophageal cancer cell viability with concomitant G1/G0‐phase cell cycle arrest. At the tested concentrations (1/2 IC50 and IC50), obatoclax neither induced PARP cleavage nor increased the Annexin V‐positive population, suggesting G1/G0‐phase arrest rather than apoptosis accounts for most of the reduction of cell viability produced by obatoclax. Double knockdown of Bak and Bax by small interference RNA failed to block obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest, implying its role in cell cycle progression is Bak/Bax‐independent. The cell cycle arresting effect of obatoclax was associated with up‐regulation of p21waf1/Cip1. Knockdown of p21waf1/Cip1 significantly attenuated obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest. Although obatoclax stimulated phosphorylation of Erk, p38, and JNK, pharmacological inhibition of p38 but not Erk or JNK blocked obatoclax‐induced G1/G0‐phase arrest. Moreover, knockdown of p38 abolished the cell cycle arresting effect of obatoclax. In consistent with this finding, inhibition of p38 blocked obatoclax‐induced p21waf1/Cip1 expression while inhibition of Erk or JNK failed to exert similar effect. To conclude, these findings suggest that obatoclax induced cell cycle arrest via p38/p21waf1/Cip1 signaling pathway. This study may shed a new light on the anti‐cancer activity of obatoclax in relation to cell cycle arrest. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1624–1635, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From pay to praise? Non-cash employee recognition in Canadian and Australian firms

Despite deep theoretical roots, a prominent place in the practitioner literature, and increasing use by organizations, non-cash employee recognition plans have thus far received relatively little empirical study by academic researchers. Drawing on survey data from 349 Canadian and Australian firms, this study examines the incidence of individually based and group-based non-cash recognition (NCR) programmes, ascertains whether there are relationships between use of non-cash and cash-based reward practices, and identifies possible predictors of NCR programmes. Results indicate that non-cash plans are indeed common in both countries, but do not appear to substitute for cash-based performance plans, contrary to enthusiasts' suggestions. The most important predictor of non-cash programmes is unionization, which is negatively related to both individually based and group-based NCR programs in Canada, and to group-based programmes in Australia.
Biological and environmental contributions to adaptive behavior in fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited developmental disability. The purpose of the present study is to understand how both biological and environmental influences affect the development of adaptive behavior in children with fragile X. In‐home assessments were conducted on 120 children (80 boys and 40 girls) with the fragile X full mutation and their unaffected siblings (58 boys and 62 girls). Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were utilized. Independent variables included biological or demographic variables specific to the child (age, gender, full‐scale IQ, and FMRP percentage), as well as factors specific to his/her environment (household income, home environment, maternal psychopathology, and effectiveness of educational/therapeutic services). Results of these analyses showed that for both boys with fragile X and the control sibling group, adaptive behavior was predicted by IQ, age, gender, and home environment. For girls with fragile X, adaptive behavior was most strongly associated with IQ. Adaptive behavior was not significantly associated with FMRP in boys or girls with fragile X. By examining the relative influences of biological and environmental factors on adaptive behavior in children with fragile X, we begin to lay the foundation for the development of more specific treatment studies in children with this disorder. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Bacterial Infection in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Synovial fluid aspirates from 50 patients with symptoms after total knee arthroplasty were analyzed by means of the polymerase chain reaction for the presence of bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid indicative of infection. Synovial fluid specimens were processed using a rapid bacterial lysis and extraction protocol, subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification using universal bacterial primers, and polymerase chain reaction products analyzed by deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization methodology. Polymerase chain reaction testing on preoperative aspirates yielded 32 specimens positive for bacterial infection. Standard microbiologic culturing assays performed on the same samples gave 6 positive bacterial infection tests; intraoperative culturing identified 9 additional infected specimens. All culture positive specimens were polymerase chain reaction positive; in contrast, there were no false polymerase chain reaction positives in 21 negative control specimens obtained from aseptic joints. The synovial fluid processing protocol and polymerase chain reaction analysis can be performed with a minimum of time and may provide greater sensitivity than standard diagnostic tests. In view of the high incidence of false negative test results from standard microbiologic assays of synovial fluid specimens, the use of molecular biology based bacterial detection methodology should provide an additional, or alternative, assay to identify infected patient specimens.
Closing the Gap between Rhetoric and Reality in Faculty Work and Reward

Abstract A decade of rhetoric on reform and reconceptualization of the roles and responsibilities of facility would suggest that on looking inside schools, colleges, and departments of education, one would find a better fit with faculty work and rewards. The literature over the last decade, however, reveals less than inspiring findings related to institutional responsiveness to urgent needs for change. This article describes a study using focus groups to gain a better understanding of the persistent gap between what should exist with faculty work and reward, and what does exist. The investigation took place in a regional comprehensive university in the southeast. Participant conversations revealed that mixed messages about expectations for work, needs for faculty development, idiosyncratic evaluation criteria, a lack of clarity in the mission of SCDE's, and other factors have contributed to a lack of reform. Participants identified current issues and barriers to change, and provided new insights into some strategies for closing the rhetoric/reality gap.