Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creating a 'Modern Apprenticeship': A critique of the UK's multi-sector, social inclusion approach

This article critiques the UK's approach to the development of a contemporary apprenticeship programme initially designed to increase the supply of intermediate level skills. Since 1994, when the Modern Apprenticeship programme was introduced, it has struggled to meet expectations and in many occupational sectors, apprentices leave without completing the prescribed qualifications. The programme's performance is worst in sectors which previously had no history of apprenticeship. A key problem for the programme is the lack of employer demand and commitment, yet the government wants the Modern Apprenticeship to expand so that it can provide a pathway for as many young people as possible. The article explores the structure, content and implementation of the Modern Apprenticeship and argues that the government is more concerned with the programme's social inclusion potential than with developing a high quality work-based route.
Depression severity and drug injection HIV risk behaviors.

OBJECTIVE This study examined the association of depression severity and drug injection HIV risk behavior among injection drug users. METHOD Injection drug users who met the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder, dysthymia, or substance-induced mood disorder lasting at least 3 months were asked how often they used "needles or syringes that someone else had used" (injection risk behavior) in the past 90 days. Depression severity was measured by using the Modified Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. RESULTS Of the 109 subjects, 63% were male, 82% were Caucasian, and 10% were HIV positive. The subjects' mean modified Hamilton depression scale score was 21.0 (SD=3.9). The mean number of reported instances of injection risk behavior (needle sharing) in the past 90 days was 57.5 (SD=134.7). In a logistic regression analysis in which the effects of age, race, gender, number of days on which injection drugs were used (injection days), and average number of injections per injection day were controlled, depression severity was associated with injection risk (odds ratio=1.5; 95% confidence interval=1.1-2.3). CONCLUSIONS Greater severity of depression is associated with greater frequency of injection risk behavior among depressed injection drug users. Risk reduction programs that target depressed injection drug users need to be designed.
Spectrum of short-wavelength magnons in a two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice: third-order expansion in 1/S

The spectrum of short-wavelength magnons in a two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice is calculated to the third order in a 1/S expansion. It is shown that a 1/S series for S = 1/2 converges quickly in the whole Brillouin zone except in the neighborhood of the point k = (π, 0), at which absolute values of the third-and the second-order 1/S-corrections are approximately equal to each other. It is shown that the third-order corrections make deeper the roton-like local minimum at k = (π, 0), improving the agreement with recent experiments and numerical results in the neighborhood of this point. It is suggested that the 1/S series converges slowly near k = (π, 0) also for S = 1 although the spectrum renormalization would be small in this case due to the very small values of high-order 1/S corrections.
An Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Corporate Debt Ownership Structure

Abstract I examine the relation between corporate debt ownership structure and several firm characteristics suggested by recent theory. The results demonstrate the importance of monitoring and information costs, the likelihood and costs of inefficient liquidation, and borrowers' incentives in affecting firms' debt source preferences. Several theoretical predictions receive support, while others do not. The results also suggest important differences between bank and private non-bank debt, which contrasts with most theoretical models. Additionally, I find evidence of systematic use of bank debt by firms with access to public debt, suggesting the benefits attributed to bank debt in theoretical models remain important after firms gain access to public debt markets. Although different lenders appear to have different maturity preferences, the results also suggest debt maturity and debt ownership decisions may be separable.
Safety of iPhone retinal photography

Abstract Background: With the advancement in mobile technology, smartphone retinal photography is becoming a popular practice. However, there is limited information about the safety of the latest smartphones used for retinal photography. Aims: This study aims to determine the photobiological risk of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus when used in conjunction with a 20Diopter condensing lens for retinal photography. Method: iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus (Apple, Cupertino, CA) were used in this study. The geometrical setup of the study was similar to the indirect ophthalmoscopy technique. The phone was set up at one end of the bench with its flash turned on at maximal brightness; a 20 Dioptre lens was placed 15 cm away from the phone. The light that passes through the lens was measured with a spectroradiometer and an illuminance probe at the other end to determine the spectral profile, spatial irradiance, radiant power emitted by the phone’s flash. Trigonometric and lens formula were applied to determine the field of view and retinal surface in order to determine the weighted retinal irradiance and weighted retinal radiant exposure. Result: Taking ocular transmission and the distribution of the beam’s spatial irradiance into account, the weighted retinal irradiance is 1.40 mW/cm2 and the weighted retinal radiant exposure is 56.25 mJ/cm2. The peak weighted foveal irradiance is 1.61 mW/cm2. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the photobiological risk posed by iPhone 6 indirect ophthalmoscopy was at least 1 order of magnitude below the safety limits set by the ISO15004-2.2.
Inflation Hedging, Asset Allocation and the Investment Horizon

Focusing on the role of the investment horizon, we analyze the inflation-hedging abilities of stocks, bonds, cash and direct commercial real estate investments. Based on vector autoregression for the UK market we find that the inflation-hedging abilities of all assets improve with the investment horizon. For long horizons, real estate seems to hedge unexpected inflation as well as cash. This has implications for the difference between the return volatility of real returns versus the return volatility of nominal returns, and ultimately for portfolio choice. Portfolio optimizations based on real returns yield higher allocations to cash and real estate than optimizations based on nominal returns. Bonds tend to be less attractive for an investor taking into account inflation. Switching from nominal to real returns, the allocation to stocks is decreasing at medium investment horizon, but increasing at long horizons.
Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy and Coefficient of Fat Absorption in Children and Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives: Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) is the proven therapy to substantially reduce fat malabsorption in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Few details of the daily practice regarding PERT and the resulting coefficient of fat absorption (CFA) are known. We therefore recorded the PERT and CFA in a large cohort of pancreatic insufficient pediatric patients with CF. Methods: We retrospectively studied 1719 completed 3-day dietary food records, including the pancreatic enzyme intake registrations, and 1373 CFA assessments of 224 patients with CF, ages 0–17 years. The clinical characteristics, PERT, expressed as an intake of lipase unit (LU) per gram of fat per day and LU per kilogram per day, and the CFA were described for the group as a whole and separately for those on enteral tube feeding. Cross-sectional relationship between the CFA and the LU per gram of fat per day and LU per kilogram per day were determined for each year of age. We also addressed the effect of the interventions done in patients with CFA outcomes <85%. Results: The LU per gram of fat per day was relatively stable throughout the age groups, whereas the LU per kilogram per day fell markedly with age. The median CFA in the age group 17 varied between 86% and 91%, however, with a CFA below 85% in 325 of 1373 (24%) of the measurements. No relationship was found between PERT and CFA. The patients with persistent CFA less than 85% had significant lower z scores weight for age and weight for height (P = 0.01) than those with CFA at least 85%. Conclusions: In this study population, no correlation between an enzyme dosage and the degree of fat malabsorption was found; however, a CFA below 85% was found in 24% of the measurements.
INVESTMENT DECISION UNDER UNCERTAINTY: THEORY AND PRACTICE

THIS PAPER is based on the thesis that by studying financial theory and financial practice in relation to one another, we may find ways in which both can be improved. The paper will first present a theory of investment decision under uncertainty which incorporates the following ideas: (1) a firm should choose portfolios rather than projects, (2) investment and financing decisions must be made simultaneously if the optimal program is to be chosen, (3) the risk attributable to an investment should be measured by its contribution to the total risk of a firm viewed in a market context, (4) a firm should trade off risk and return at the market-established rate of substitution, and (5) investors view security returns in real terms rather than in monetary terms. The paper will then present the results of three case studies investigating the actual making of investment decisions. We shall examine the disparity between the theory and practice of investment decisions, and suggest some reasons why the sophisticated techniques developed by theorists are not fully implemented in practice. Finally, the paper will indicate some of the lines along which future research should be directed.
Evolving Labor Market Transition Probabilities and Their Impact on Worklife Estimates

A panel of age-specific transition probabilities is developed for the three-decade period 1980 to 2010. Analysis shows that both male and female transition probabilities have evolved over the 30-year span. The transition probabilities are used to calculate both period and cohort worklives. The results differ starkly for men and women. For men, worklives are most affected for those with little education. For women, obtaining a college degree has the most impact on worklives. The results suggest that using historical period worklives may have mis-estimated worklives for these two groups relative to cohort estimates.
Oligomerization of the Phosphatase CheZ Upon Interaction with the Phosphorylated Form of CheY

Earlier studies have suggested that CheZ, the phosphatase of the signaling protein CheY in bacterial chemotaxis, may be in an oligomeric state both when bound to phosphorylated CheY (CheYP) (Blat, Y., and Eisenbach, M.(1994) Biochemistry 33, 902-906) or free (Stock, A., and Stock, J. B.(1987) J. Bacteriol. 169, 3301-3311). The purpose of the current study was to determine the oligomeric state of free CheZ and to investigate whether it changes upon binding to CheYP. By using either one of two different sets of cross-linking agents, free CheZ was found to be a dimer. The formation of the dimer was specific, as it was prevented by SDS which does not interfere with cross-linking mediated by random collisions. The dimeric form of CheZ was confirmed by sedimentation analysis, a cross-linking-free technique. In the presence of CheYP (but not in the presence of non-phosphorylated CheY), a high molecular size cross-linked complex (90-200 kDa) was formed, in which the CheZ:CheY ratio was 2:1. The size of the oligomeric complex was estimated by fluorescence depolarization to be 4-5-fold larger than the dimer, suggesting that its size is in the order of 200 kDa. These results indicate that CheZ oligomerizes upon interaction with CheYP. This phosphorylation-dependent oligomerization may be a mechanism for regulating CheZ activity.
Competition, conduct, and ratings in local television news: Applying the industrial organization model

This study explores how competition and competition intensity affect the amount of time devoted to local television news and the number of employees assigned to news activities. It also studies how the amount of time devoted to news and staff size affect newscast ratings. The author concludes that competition and its intensity did affect the amount of news presented locally and newscast ratings in the market examined.
Falls in hospices: a cancer network observational study of fall rates and risk factors

Falls have been identified as a problem in frail patient populations, but their risk factors have not been studied prospectively in the hospice setting. We calculated fall rates in three hospices in the Yorkshire region, identified risk factors for falls based on previous studies in elderly patients, and then carried out a prospective study of inpatients in two of these hospices. We compared these risk factors in patients who subsequently fell with patients that did not fall during the study period. Information was recorded on 102 admissions. Twelve patients fell, generating 23 falls; six patients fell more than once. Significant risk factors for falling were cognitive impairment, low systolic lying and standing blood pressure, visual impairment and age over 80. Males with these risk factors fell more often than female patients with these risk factors. Strategies to prevent falls in hospice inpatients need to be directed appropriately towards patients with cognitive and visual impairment and low systolic blood pressure.
Longitudinal trends of recent HIV‐1 infections in Slovenia (1986–2012) determined using an incidence algorithm

Resolving dilemma whether the rise in the number of HIV diagnoses represents an actual increase in HIV transmissions or is a result of improved HIV surveillance is crucial before implementing national HIV prevention strategies. Annual proportions of recent infections (RI) among newly diagnosed persons infected with HIV‐1 in Slovenia during 27 years (1986–2012) were determined using an algorithm consisting of routine baseline CD4 and HIV viral load measurements and the Aware BED EIA HIV‐1 Incidence Test (BED test). The study included the highest coverage of persons diagnosed with HIV during the entire duration of an HIV epidemic in a given country/region (71%). Out of 416 patients, 170 (40.9%) had a baseline CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/mm3 and/or HIV‐1 viral load less than 400 copies/ml and were characterized as having a long‐standing infection (LSI). The remaining 246 patients were additionally tested using the BED test. Overall, 23% (97/416) of the patients were labeled RI. The characteristics significantly associated with RI were as follows: younger age, acute retroviral syndrome, CDC class A and other than C, no AIDS defining illnesses, HIV test performed in the past, a higher viral load, and a higher CD4 cell count. An interesting trend in the proportion of RI was observed, with a peak in 2005 (47% of RI) and the lowest point in 2008 (12%) in parallel with a rise in the numbers of new HIV diagnoses. This study could help promote the idea of introducing periodic HIV incidence monitoring using a simple and affordable algorithm. J. Med. Virol. 87:1510–1516, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temporal Profitability and Pricing of Long-Term Care Insurance

Equilibrium models of dynamic insurance markets can be bifurcated according to underlying assumptions about whether or not insurers commit to long-term contracts. The difference is substantial in that commitment models imply price highballing over time while no-commitment models indicate price lowballing. Extant empirical studies provide mixed evidence, however. We use long-term care (LTC) insurance data, which allow us both to better control for heterogeneous, observable risk, to examine dynamic profitability and pricing in a relatively young, innovative insurance market. Our tests generally indicate temporal price lowballing, thereby providing support for the no-commitment models.
Unraveling the neuroprotective mechanisms of PrPC in excitotoxicity

Knowledge of the natural roles of cellular prion protein (PrPC) is essential to an understanding of the molecular basis of prion pathologies. This GPI-anchored protein has been described in synaptic contacts, and loss of its synaptic function in complex systems may contribute to the synaptic loss and neuronal degeneration observed in prionopathy. In addition, Prnp knockout mice show enhanced susceptibility to several excitotoxic insults, GABAA receptor-mediated fast inhibition was weakened, LTP was modified and cellular stress increased. Although little is known about how PrPC exerts its function at the synapse or the downstream events leading to PrPC-mediated neuroprotection against excitotoxic insults, PrPC has recently been reported to interact with two glutamate receptor subunits (NR2D and GluR6/7). In both cases the presence of PrPC blocks the neurotoxicity induced by NMDA and Kainate respectively. Furthermore, signals for seizure and neuronal cell death in response to Kainate in Prnp knockout mouse are associated with JNK3 activity, through enhancing the interaction of GluR6 with PSD-95. In combination with previous data, these results shed light on the molecular mechanisms behind the role of PrPC in excitotoxicity. Future experimental approaches are suggested and discussed.
Alcohol in human violence

Introduction and Pre-Empirical Considerations. Studies of the Role of Alcohol in Real-Life Violence. The Study of Alcohol Use and Aggression in a Canadian Community: Rationale, Methodology, and Fieldwork. The Prevalence of Violence and Threats of Violence. Violence Episodes: Participants, Settings, and Relationships. The Presence of Alcohol in Episodes of Violence. Violent Acts: Determinants of Choice. Injuries Incurred and Medical Care Sought as a Result of Violence. Alcohol in Human Violence: Findings and Explanatory Frameworks.
MARKET STRUCTURE, CHANGING INCENTIVES, AND UNDERWRITER CERTIFICATION

Early studies find that higher quality underwriters are associated with lower underpricing; however, more recent evidence suggests the opposite relation. By controlling for influences associated with the changing market structure of the underwriter industry, I provide a potential explanation for this conflict, that is, that higher quality underwriters do certify initial public offerings, resulting in lower underpricing. However, effects associated with increasing market shares tend to offset certification benefits, particularly for issues underwritten by the largest investment banks. 2005 The Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association.
Testing range estimators of historical volatility

This study investigates the relative performance of various historical volatility estimators that incorporate daily trading range: M. Parkinson (1980), M. Garman and M. Klass (1980), L. C. G. Rogers and S. E. Satchell (1991), and D. Yang and Q. Zhang (2000). It is found that the range estimators all perform very well when an asset price follows a continuous geometric Brownian motion. However, significant differences among various range estimators are detected if the asset return distribution involves an opening jump or a large drift. By adding microstructure noise to the Monte Carlo simulation, the finding of S. Alizadeh, M. W. Brandt, and F. X. Diebold (2002)—that range estimators are fairly robust toward microstructure effects—is confirmed. An empirical test with S&P 500 index return data shows that the variances estimated with range estimators are quite close to the daily integrated variance. The empirical results support the use of range estimators for actual market data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 26:297–313, 2006
Using Human Capital Theory to Develop a Policy Approach towards College Student Migration in Illinois.

The purpose of this study was to use human capital theory to develop a policy approach towards college student migration in Illinois. A rate of return analysis revealed the social rate of return for college student migrants who return to Illinois and the private rate of return was 15.95%. It was estimated that due to college student migration in Fall 2000, Illinois lost 4,781 college graduate residents. The economic impact of this in terms of lost lifetime tax dollars to the State of Illinois from college student migration was estimated to be $776,400,930. Policy recommendations included mission differentiation, incentives for residents and non-residents to enroll at Illinois institutions, and encouraging college graduate residence in Illinois.
Rights to Liberty in Purely Private Matters

John Stuart Mill provides a classic defense of individual and group rights to liberty with respect to purely private or self-regarding matters: The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself … directly, and in the first instance, … his independence is, of right, absolute. … From this liberty of each individual, follows the liberty, within the same limits, of combination among individuals; freedom to unite, for any purpose not involving harm to others: the persons combining being supposed to be of full age, and not forced or deceived. (1859, pp. 224–26)
Isolation of retinal progenitor cells from post‐mortem human tissue and comparison with autologous brain progenitors

The goal of the present study was threefold: to determine whether viable human retinal progenitor cells (hRPCs) could be obtained from cadaveric retinal tissue, to evaluate marker expression by these cells, and to compare hRPCs to human brain progenitor cells (hBPCs). Retinas were dissected from post‐mortem premature infants, enzymatically dissociated, and grown in the presence of epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. The cells grew as suspended spheres or adherent monolayers, depending on culture conditions. Expanded populations were banked or harvested for analysis by RT‐PCR, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. hBPCs derived from forebrain specimens from the same donors were grown and used for RT‐PCR. Post‐mortem human retinal specimens yielded viable cultures that grew to confluence repeatedly, although not beyond 3 months. Cultured hRPCs expressed a range of markers consistent with CNS progenitor cells, including nestin, vimentin, Sox2, Ki‐67, GD2 ganglioside, and CD15 (Lewis X), as well as the tetraspanins CD9 and CD81, CD95 (Fas), and MHC class I antigens. No MHC class II expression was detected. hRPCs, but not hBPCs, expressed Dach1, Pax6, Six3, Six6, and recoverin. Minority subpopulations of hRPCs and hBPCs expressed doublecortin, β‐III tubulin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, which is consistent with increased lineage restriction in subsets of cultured cells. Viable progenitor cells can be cultured from the post‐mortem retina of premature infants and exhibit a gene expression profile consistent with immature neuroepithelial cells. hRPCs can be distinguished from hBPC cultures by the expression of retinal specification genes and recoverin. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.