Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Working Capital Management of Ghana Banks on Profitability: Panel Approach

This paper examines the working capital management of Ghanaian banks on profitability during the period 2005– 2010 using panel regression models. More specifically, we investigate whether the working capital management of selected Ghana banks is associated with more profitability. Our empirical findings suggest that cash conversion cycle is inversely related to bank’s profitability marginally. In particular, we find that leverage of the banks exhibit statistically significantly a positive impact on banks’ profitability.
Abacavir-based therapy does not affect biological mechanisms associated with cardiovascular dysfunction

Objective:To assess the effects of initiating abacavir-containing therapy on plasma lipids and cardiovascular biomarkers. Design:Sub-study of the BICOMBO study in which participants were randomized to switch their nucleoside backbone to either abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine. Methods:We assessed 48-week changes in fasting lipids and several biomarkers including serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), osteoprotegerin, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), selectin E and P, adiponectin, insulin, and D-dimer in otherwise healthy, virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients randomly switched to abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine with no history of cardiovascular disease, no prior abacavir or tenofovir use, and no virological failure or AIDS during follow-up. Results:Eighty (46 abacavir/lamivudine and 34 tenofovir/emtricitabine) patients were included. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups and between patients in the sub-study vs. those not. There were no significant differences in baseline lipids and markers between groups. Although total (6.5 vs. −6.7%, P < 0.0001) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (8.6 vs. −9.1%, P = 0.004) cholesterol increased significantly in the abacavir/lamivudine group relative to the tenofovir/emtricitabine group, we found no significant changes in the biomarkers: CRP (−3.9 vs. 0.0%), MCP-1 (5.9 vs. 4.0%), osteoprotegerin (5.1 vs. −2.8%), IL−6 (0.0 vs. 0.0%), IL-10 (0.0 vs. 0.0%), TNF-alpha (0.0 vs. 0.0%), ICAM-1 (6.6 vs. 5.2%), VCAM-1 (0.02 vs. −0.01%), selectin E (−0.4 vs. 7.8%), selectin P (4.6 vs. 12.6%), insulin (−2.5 vs. 8.8%), adiponectin (−2.2 vs. 15.4%), and D-dimer (0.0 vs. 0.0%) (P ≥ 0.12 for all comparisons). Conclusion:Abacavir/lamivudine increased total and LDL cholesterol compared with tenofovir/emtricitabine, but it did not cause inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, or hypercoagulability in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients.
FORCES STEERING IRANIAN LANGUAGE TEACHERS' WORK: A GROUNDED THEORY

______________ More often than not language teachers working in public high schools in Iran complain about their work conditions. The purpose of this study is to develop a systematic explanatory theory of the macro-structures that steer language teachers' work. This grounded theory is based on a volunteer and theoretical sample of 5 experienced language teachers' contributions. The findings were triangulated against a theoretical sample of official documents. The iterative process of data collection and analysis yielded 'forces steering teachers' work' as the core category. This core category pulled together three other categories representing macro-structures, which are beyond language teachers' control. These categories shape teachers' pedagogic practice. The 'mandated national curriculum' controls input. The 'mandated national testing scheme' controls output. The circle of control is tightened by 'make the grade pressure'. In the face of these macro-structures and as a coping strategy, teachers consciously choose to follow an instrumental approach. Being a pure implementer of externally imposed initiatives and schemes, teachers' practice is deprofessionalised.
Women and Power in Organizations

Men have power in organizations that women often lack. Investigates generally men′s and women′s employment, job segregation, and part‐time employment. Discusses the barriers to women′s progress. The first barrier is the role women have been socialized to adopt, for example, passive. The second is lack of support including limited financial resources, education and training, lack of child care arrangements, networks, role models, mentors and domestic constraints. A third barrier is attitudes such as employer biases, negative perceptions of women, attribution of female behaviour and use of language. Suggests how women could gain more power. Positive action is required within schools to encourage girls to pursue non‐traditional career plans. Further awareness of the problems arising from sex stereotyping is needed. Through mentoring women could have access to the power network. However, peer mentoring can be an egalitarian alternative for women. Discusses the importance of assertiveness training for women.
Non-rigid Registration with Reliable Distance Field for Dynamic Shape Completion

Non rigid registration is an important task in computer vision with many applications in shape and motion modeling. A fundamental step of the registration is the data association between the source and the target sets. Such association proves difficult in practice, due to the discrete nature of the information and its corruption by various types of noise, e.g. outliers and missing data. In this paper we investigate the benefit of the implicit representations for the non-rigid registration of 3D point clouds. First, the target points are described with small quadratic patches that are blended through partition of unity weighting. Then, the discrete association between the source and the target can be replaced by a continuous distance field induced by the interface. By combining this distance field with a proper deformation term, the registration energy can be expressed in a linear least square form that is easy and fast to solve. This significantly eases the registration by avoiding direct association between points. Moreover, a hierarchical approach can be easily implemented by employing coarse-to-fine representations. Experimental results are provided for point clouds from multi-view data sets. The qualitative and quantitative comparisons show the outperformance and robustness of our framework.
Providing CEOs With Opportunities to Cheat

Opportunities for financial reporting fraud arise because of information asymmetries—often labeled “lack of transparency”—between top managers and their diverse shareholders. We evaluate the relative contributions of information asymmetries arising from industry-level and firm-level complexities to the likelihood of top managers committing financial reporting fraud. Using a sample of 453 matched pairs of firms that have and have not been identified as having committed financial reporting fraud, we found that information asymmetries arising from industry- and firm-level complexities increase the likelihood of financial fraud. Moreover, more CEO stock options increase the likelihood of fraud when industry complexity is high, while aggressive monitoring by the audit committee reduces the likelihood of reporting fraud when firm-level complexity is high.
Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome: infrequent bleeding and first report of Turkish and Pakistani kindreds

Hermansky–Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare disorder characterised by oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding tendency, and lipofuscinosis. This retrospective study reviews the clinical history and haematological features of 23 cases of HPS. Information was gathered from patient notes and by direct interview. Thirteen of the 23 children were of Turkish origin, 12 being members of four kindreds from the Turkish/Kurdish border. Four children originated from Pakistan. Haemorrhage was uncommon; two experienced significant bleeding (intracranial and retinal haemorrhage in one and menorrhagia in another), and twelve minor symptoms. Results of laboratory evaluation of platelet function were not predictive of bleeding; in particular the PFA-100 analyser was not sensitive to the HPS defect. The most sensitive test of platelet fuction was quantitation of platelet nucleotides. The occurrence of Turkish and Pakistani kindreds with HPS is novel and follow up for long term complications described in Puerto Rican patients as well as genetic analysis is ongoing.
Measuring Insight in a High‐security Forensic Setting Using the Behavioural Status Index

One of the challenging facets of mental health care can be that of trying to deal with a patient's level of insight. Problems that seem apparent to assessing practitioners are sometimes not regarded in the same way by the patient. Measuring a concept like insight is not easy. The Behavioural Status Index (BSI) breaks insight into components and measurable criteria. Such a measurement instrument provides opportunities for detailed analysis of function, opportunity for very specific interventions, further detailed assessment and measurement of progress. This paper begins with a theoretical introduction to the concept of insight and a description of the BSI. Data analysis then follows for the BSI insight subscale. Data were collected, using a repeated measures method from a sample of 503 individual patients in two high‐security mental health hospitals. Results are reported for the central tendency and spread of items; the differences between the Mental Health Act 1983 classifications of mental illness, psychopathic disorder and learning disabilities, patient‐ward dependency level and gender; and the relationship between items, within the subscale. The relationship between items suggests two distinct groupings of acceptive (the ability to recognise and differentiate inner feelings of tension or anger) and cognitional (conscious awareness of inner states) behaviours.
Deakin Research Online Deakin University ’ s institutional research repository DDeakin Research Online Research Online

Clustering is widely used in bioinformatics to find gene correlation patterns. Although many algorithms have been proposed, these are usually confronted with difficulties in meeting the requirements of both automation and high quality. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for clustering genes from their expression profiles. The unique features of the proposed algorithm are twofold: it takes into consideration global, rather than local, gene correlation information in clustering processes; and it incorporates clustering quality measurement into the clustering processes to implement non-parametric, automatic and global optimal gene clustering. The evaluation on simulated and real gene data sets demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Early Identification of Children With Communication Disorders: Concurrent and Predictive Validity of the CSBS Developmental Profile

Communication disorders in infants and toddlers are significantly underidentified, prohibiting early intervention for many children and families who might benefit from services. Researchers have sought to identify earlier and more accurate predictors of later language development. This article describes the FIRST WORDS Project evaluation model for identifying children less than 24 months of age who are at risk for communication disorders by using the CSBS Developmental Profile (CSBS DP; A. Wetherby & B. Prizant. Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile—First Normed Edition. Baltimore, Md: Brookes Publishing Co; 2002). Children were first screened with a brief parent-report checklist distributed by healthcare and childcare providers and other community agencies serving families of young children. Children were followed up with a more in-depth parent report tool and face-to-face evaluation. This paper presents the results of 2 studies. The first study examined the concurrent validity of the CSBS DP based on screening and evaluation with the CSBS DP for 232 children between 12 and 24 months of age. The second study examined the predictive validity of the CSBS DP based on follow-up testing of receptive and expressive language for 246 children at 2 years of age and 108 children at 3 years of age. These findings support the use of prelinguistic predictors and the important role of the family in screening and evaluation to improve early identification.
The Experience and Management of Menstruation for Women with Learning Disabilities

This paper describes a three‐phase study to investigate the experience and management of menstruation for women with learning disabilities. It focuses on the findings of the second phase of the study, which looked at the experiences of carers and health professionals. It describes the difficult issues that can arise when providing assistance around menstruation. The findings are discussed in relation to ideologies and sensitivities that exist around gender, sexuality and menstruation.
Expression of parathyroid hormone‐related protein and the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone‐related protein receptor in rat thymic epithelial cells

Thymic epithelial cells are an important source of cytokines and other regulatory peptides which guide thymocyte proliferation and maturation. Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP), a cytokine‐like peptide, has been reported to affect the proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro. The studies presented here were undertaken to test the hypotheses that PTHrP is produced locally within the thymus where it could influence thymocyte maturation and, more specifically, that thymic epithelial cells (TEC) could be the intrathymic source of PTHrP expression. To this end, immunohistochemical studies were performed to localise PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor within the adult rat thymus. Antibodies directed against 2 different PTHrP epitopes, PTHrP(1–34) and PTHrP(34–53), demonstrated prominent specific PTHrP immunoreactivity in both subcapsular and medullary TEC. In addition, faint but specific staining for PTHrP was seen in the cortex, interdigitating between cortical lymphocytes while sparing epithelial‐free subcapsular areas, thus suggesting that cortical TEC could also be a source of PTHrP immunoreactivity. In contrast, PTH/PTHrP receptor immunoreactivity was only seen in medullary and occasional septal TEC; no evidence of cortical or lymphocytic PTH/PTHrP receptor immunoreactivity was detected. Immunohistochemical studies of cultured cytokeratin‐positive rat TEC confirmed the results of these in situ studies as cultured TEC were immunoreactive both for PTHrP and the PTH/PTHrP receptor. Thus these results demonstrate that PTHrP is produced by the epithelial cells of the mature rat thymus. This suggests that PTHrP, a peptide with known cytokine, growth factor and neuroendocrine actions, could exert important intrathymic effects mediated by direct interactions with TEC, or indirect effects on PTH/PTHrP receptor‐negative thymocytes.
Effects of Antiarrhythmic Drugs on Premature Action Potential Duration in Canine Ventricular Muscle Fibers

Summary: The range of premature action potential durations (APDs) during the first 100 ms of electrical restitution was determined in canine ventricular muscle fibers (VM) in the presence of lidocaine (4 and 8 μg/ml), mexiletine (8 μg/ml), flecainide (2 and 4 μg/ml), procainamide (50 μg/ml), quinidine (10 μg/ml), and disopyramide (10 μg/ml). The drug effects on the characteristics of action potential at the basic cycle lengths (BCLs) of 500 and 1,000 ms were similar to those reported previously. At control, the range of premature APDs was ∼40 ms at BCL of 1,000 ms and ∼30 ms at BCL of 500 ms. It was decreased 26–52% by lidocaine, mexiletine, and flecainide, not changed significantly by procainamide, and increased 17–53% by quinidine and disopyramide. The range of premature APDs at control and in the presence of drugs in ventricular muscle was smaller than in Purkinje fibers at the same or lower drug concentrations (Varro et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1985; 233:304). The four factors influencing the premature APD range in the Purkinje fibers operated in the VM as follows: The difference between the duration of effective refractory period (ERP) and the APD at BCL (APDb) (i.e., the ERP-APDb interval) was increased by lidocaine, mexiletine, and flecainide; normalized restitution curve was shifted toward longer premature APD values only by flecainide; the kinetics of restitution were slowed only by procainamide; and APD at BCL of 1,000 ms was shortened by lidocaine and mexiletine, and prolonged at BCLs of 1,000 and 500 ms by the other four drugs. Unlike the Purkinje fibers, the range of premature APDs in VM was influenced chiefly by APD at BCL. The lengthening of the premature APD range by quinidine and disopyramide suggests that these drugs may be expected to increase dispersion of repolarization during the propagation of an early premature impulse, and that this increase may be greater at long than at short BCL.
U.S. Soldier Peacekeeping Experiences and Wellbeing After Returning from Deployment to Kosovo

Peacekeeping experiences present both the opportunity for finding meaning in one's Job and the risk for being traumatized. In a study of US soldiers stationed in Germany returning from deployment to Kosovo, soldier experiences with peacekeeping were assessed along with soldier wellbeing. Soldiers (N=1,215) were surveyed using a 15-item peacekeeping experiences scale, the 17-item Post-Traumatic Stress Checklist, a 10-item revised Conflict-Tactics Scale, and three wellness behaviors (alcohol consumption, sick days, and sleep). Findings indicated that soldiers reporting high levels of exposure to peacekeeping experiences reported more post-traumatic symptoms, greater use of conflict-related tactics, more alcohol consumption, more sick days, and less sleep at postdeployment than soldiers with less exposure. Experience with positive aspects of the deployment such as contact with grateful civilians and engaging in community improvement projects, was associated with greater intention to remain m the military and greater acceptance of the mission's goals. As expected, rank and unit type were key demographic variables in understanding the relationship between experience and wellbeing. The findings suggest the need to target specific units and soldiers for prevention programs.
Paradoxes of Professionalization

During the past two decades, opportunities for women's social movement organizations to expand their scope of engagement have often been accompanied by greater vulnerability to donor discipline and scrutiny. Efforts by activists to accommodate the demands for accountability and institutional sustainability by professionalizing their organizations have been instrumental in moving feminist concerns into the political mainstream. However, such institutionalization has frequently contributed to the persistence or creation of social hierarchies within and between women's organizations, as well as to shifts in their social change agendas and action strategies. This article examines the common dilemmas of activists in Latin America and the United States, bringing together two usually separate domains of scholarship to analyze the course, costs, and possibilities of organizational transformation.
Transnational mobilities for care: rethinking the dynamics of care in Asia

This special issue on ‘Transnational mobilities for care: rethinking the dynamics of care in Asia’ examines the intersections between transnational mobilities for care and the practices of care through the lens of transnational migration for work and marriage. In this editorial introduction, we highlight three key themes explored by the articles that make up the collection – the transposability of care; the reciprocity of care; and the continued feminization of carework In discussing these themes, we consider how we can contribute to a rethinking of ‘care’ and the notion of the global care chain from a perspective beyond that of the Global North.
The Reading Habits and Literacy Attitudes of Inservice and Prospective Teachers

This article describes a questionnaire survey of 747 students enrolled in a graduate school of education, who are currently teachers or prospective teachers. The Literacy Habits Questionnaire, developed by Applegate and Applegate, was administered in September 2006. Findings suggest a high prevalence of aliteracy, the ability to read but a disinterest in personal reading. Although graduate students acknowledge the importance of reading for teachers, they do not themselves exhibit investment in personal reading. Also, the findings suggest that professors of literacy and education need to do more to encourage personal reading by incorporating strategies to promote reading among current and future literacy professionals.
Triceps Innervation Pattern: Implications for Triceps Nerve to Deltoid Nerve Transfer

There are multiple nerve branches supplying the triceps. Traditionally, the nerve to the long head of triceps is utilized for nerve transfer to neurotize the deltoid muscle in patients with brachial plexus injuries. However, no anatomical studies were done to investigate which triceps nerve would be preferred for nerve transfer. This anatomical study was carried out to describe the innervation pattern of the triceps muscle to investigate the preferred triceps nerve for nerve transfer. Twenty-five cadaveric arms were dissected. The long head of the triceps received a single branch in 23 cases (92%) and double branches in 2 cases (8%) only. The medial head had a single branch in 22 cases (88%) and double branches in 3 cases (12%). The lateral head was the most bulky one and received more than one branch in all cases (100%), ranging from 2 to 5 branches. The transfer of the most proximal branch to the lateral head of the triceps seems to be the most preferred choice for deltoid muscle innervation.
[Prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

INTRODUCTION Thyroid autoimmune diseases have been associated with a variety of rheumatologic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of thyroid autoimmune diseases in patients with SLE. METHODS Transversal study to compare the prevalence of thyroid disorders in 106 patients with SLE and a control group of 102 patients. The patients were submitted to a clinical and a laboratorial evaluation; the tests included antiperoxidase and antithyroglobulin antibodies, TSH, free T4 and T3. RESULTS We detected high prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (11%) and clinical hypothyroidism (13%) in the group of patients with SLE when they were compared to the control group, 7% and 1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The hyperthyroidism occurred in a same frequency in the two groups. The positivity of antithyroid antibodies was higher in the group with SLE (23% versus 19%, p = 0.025). The relative risk of the patients with SLE to develop thyroid dysfunctions was 1,6. CONCLUSION The thyroid disorders were more prevalent in patients with LES than in general population.
Creating a Venue for the “Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name”: Origins of the Gay and Lesbian Press

This country's first three widely distributed gay and lesbian publications were founded on the West Coast in the 1950s. This article describes One, Mattachine Review, and The Ladder, as well as the journalists who created them. In addition, this study analyzes the editorial content of the magazines and considers the three pioneering publications in the context of other social movement presses.