Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Fiscal Deficit and Public Debt in Nigeria: an Error Correction Approach

The paper examined the nexus between fiscal deficit and public debt in Nigeria. Public debt was disaggregated into domestic and external debt with a view to analyzing the causal relationship and relative effect of both categories of debt on fiscal deficit. Time series data were collected from Statistical Bulletins published by the Central Bank of Nigeria from 1970 to 2011. Except for inflation rate that was I(0), the unit root test results revealed stationarity of fiscal balance, public debt and its components, income, exchange rate and rate of interest series at their first difference; they are I(1) series. Pair-wise Granger causality results support bi-directional relationship between fiscal balance and public debt as well as its domestic component while causality run only from external debt to fiscal deficit. Johansen cointegration results also confirmed the existence of cointegrating relationships at 5 per cent level of significance. In addition, error correction estimates revealed that fiscal balance had significant positive relationship with debt in Nigeria in both the short and long run. The results showed that 1 per cent increase in public debt resulted in an increase of 1.85 per cent in fiscal deficit. In addition, 1 per cent increase in fiscal deficit resulted into 0.08 per cent increase in public debt. The paper further confirmed that domestic debt has greater impact on fiscal deficit than external debt. The paper concluded that the Nigerian government should consider appropriate mix of domestic debt and external debt as a mean of financing budget deficit.
Apexogenesis and revascularization treatment procedures for two traumatized immature permanent maxillary incisors: a case report

Traumatic injuries to an immature permanent tooth may result in cessation of dentin deposition and root maturation. Endodontic treatment is often complicated in premature tooth with an uncertain prognosis. This article describes successful treatment of two traumatized maxillary central incisors with complicated crown fracture three months after trauma. The radiographic examination showed immature roots in maxillary central incisors of a 9-year-old boy with a radiolucent lesion adjacent to the right central incisor. Apexogenesis was performed for the left central incisor and revascularization treatment was considered for the right one. In 18-month clinical and radiographic follow-up both teeth were asymptomatic, roots continued to develop, and periapical radiolucency of the right central incisor healed. Considering the root development of these contralateral teeth it can be concluded that revascularization is an appropriate treatment method in immature necrotic teeth.
Silver Nanorod Arrays as a Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate for Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria Detection

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using novel silver nanorod array substrates has been used for the detection of pathogenic bacteria. The substrate consists of a base layer of 500 nm silver film on a glass slide and a layer of silver nanorod array with a length of ∼1 μm produced by the oblique angle deposition method at a vapor incident angle of 86°. Spectra from whole cell bacteria, Generic Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, E. coli DH 5α, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Salmonella typhimurium, and bacteria mixtures have been obtained. This SERS active substrate can detect spectral differences between Gram types, different species, their mixture, and strains. Principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied to classify the spectra. Viable and nonviable cells have also been examined, and significantly reduced SERS responses were observed for nonviable cells. SERS detection of bacteria at the single cell level, excited at low incident laser power (12 μW) and short collection time (10 s), has also been demonstrated. These results indicate that the SERS-active silver nanorod array substrate is a potential analytical sensor for rapid identification of microorganisms with a minimum of sample preparation.
Starting on the Wrong Foot: Seasonality in Mutual Fund Performance

We document a systematic seasonal component in the aggregate underperformance of active mutual funds. At the aggregate level, active funds underperform the market and other passive benchmarks only in the first month of a quarter. This intra-quarter performance seasonality holds across fund sizes and investment styles. The pattern is consistent with short-term stock return reversal effects along with aggregate window-dressing and, to a lesser extent, NAV-inflation practices around quarter-ends. We find marginal or no evidence of microstructure biases, fund investor flows, or cash distributions as sources of this seasonality. Our findings highlight new features of the active management underperformance puzzle.
Gynecomastia and gonadal dysfunction in adolescent boys treated with combination chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

We studied 19 Ugandan boys with Hodgkin's disease who had been treated with mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine and prednisone and who survived at least two years to assess testicular germ-cell depletion in pubescent boys on combination chemotherapy, as had previously been demonstrated in sexually mature men. Nine of 13 pubertal boys (ages 11 to 16) had moderate to severe gynecomastia and germinal aplasia, a 10-fold increase in mean (+/- S.D.) serum follicle-stimulating hormone (34.8 +/- 20.5 mlU per milliliter), a threefold increase in mean luteinizing hormone (17.8 +/- 9.8 mlU per milliliter) and reduced serum testosterone levels. Gynecomastia was not associated with an increase in either serum estradiol or prolactin concentrations. By contrast, six prepubertal boys (three to 10 years of age), similarly treated, showed no change in serum gonadotropins, and gynecomastia did not develop. The data confirm germ-cell depletion after combination chemotherapy and indicate further that Leydig-cell dysfunction, manifested by gynecomastia, may be a consequence of treatment in adolescent boys.
Efficacy and tolerability of peginterferon alpha‐2a with or without ribavirin in thalassaemia major patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Thalassaemia patients with genotype 1 or 4 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were randomised to receive peginterferon alpha‐2a 180 mg/week ribavirin for 48 weeks. Primary efficacy variable was sustained viral response (SVR) at 72 weeks. Thirty‐two patients were evaluated; 20 enrolled. Baseline characteristics were comparable. SVR occurred in four of 12 and five of eight patients in the monotherapy and combination groups (30% and 62·5%; P = 0·19), respectively. Undetectable RNA at 12 weeks and age <18 years were associated with improved SVR (P < 0·05). Transfusion requirements rose by 34% in the combination arm (P = 0·08). Peginterferon/ribavirin was effective in thalassaemics with HCV and moderate iron overload.
Epidemiological investigation of a tap water-mediated hepatitis E virus genotype 4 outbreak in Zhejiang Province, China

SUMMARY An outbreak of acute hepatitis recently occurred in a nursing home in Zhejiang Province, China. The objectives of this study were to confirm the outbreak and identify the aetiology, source and transmission patterns. All residents and staff in or near the nursing home during the period from 1 October 2014 to 21 May 2015 were investigated regarding hygiene and for epidemiological information including water and food (eating meat especially pork products). Serum and stool specimens were collected for detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies using ELISA and RNA using RT–PCR. Samples that were RNA positive were genotyped. Of 185 senior residents and 24 staff in the nursing home, there were 37 laboratory-confirmed cases during the outbreak. Of these cases, 12 patients (three deaths) were symptomatic with jaundice, a common clinical symptom for hepatitis E infection. HEV strains were isolated from three cases and they formed a single cluster within genotype 4d. A case-control study was conducted to investigate potential risk factors for the outbreak and the results revealed that cases more often washed their dishes and rinsed their mouths using tap water than the controls (P < 0·05). Based on hygiene investigation and meteorological information, it is likely that HEV-infected sewage and faeces contaminated the water network on rainy days. Collectively, these results suggest that the outbreak of HEV genotype 4 infection was most likely caused by contaminated tap water rather than food.
A Comparative Study of NDVI Values Between North- and South-Facing Slopes in a Semiarid Mountainous Region

This paper used Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) data from 2007 to 2011 to examine seasonal changes in the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in north-facing and south-facing slopes of a small (approximately 1900 ha.) west-draining hydrographic basin in the Guadalupe Valley in northwest Mexico. The analysis was done for the wet and dry seasons of this mid-latitude (32°N) basin with a rugged geomorphology covered by mostly native vegetation (chaparral) with minor anthropogenic disturbance. We used ten Landsat-5 TM satellite images that were preprocessed to correct atmospheric effects, to further estimate radiance and reflectance before the NDVI computation was performed. A LiDAR derived digital terrain model was used to calculate the terrain slope and aspect to further select and classify north and south facing slopes. With the slopes classified, zonal statistics of the NDVI were computed estimating mean and standard deviation for both slope orientations. We found higher NDVI values in the north-facing than in the south-facing slopes, regardless of the season (wet and dry), and also higher vegetation index values during the wet season compared to the dry season. For the period analyzed, we distinguished the signal of extreme dry year during 2007.
Incidence of HIV-1 infection in a rural region of Uganda

Abstract Objective : To determine the incidence of infection with HIV-1 and the risk factors associated with seroconversion in three geographical strata of a rural Ugandan district. Design : Serological, sociodemographic, and behavioural surveys of everyone aged 13 or more in 21 randomly selected communities at baseline and 20 one year later. Setting : Rural population of Rakai district, south-western Uganda, residing in main road trading centres, secondary trading villages, and agricultural villages. Subjects : In 1989, 1292 adults provided a blood sample and interview data; one year later, 778 survivors (77%) who had been seronegative at baseline provided follow up data. Main outcome measures : Incidence of HIV infection in relation to individual characteristics and risk factors, including place of residence. Results : Incidence of HIV infection in all adults was 2.1/100 person years of observation (SE 0.5 (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.1)); in people aged 15-39 the incidence was 3.2/100 person years. Incidence was highest in men and women aged 20-24 (9.2/100 person years (3.9) and 6.8/100 person years (2.9) respectively). Risk factors significantly associated with seroconversion were age 24 and under and two or more sexual partners. Between the surveys the proportion of all respondents reporting high risk behaviour (two or more partners) significantly increased from 8.9% to 12.3%. Conclusions : Despite preventive programmes and substantial knowledge about AIDS the incidence of HIV infection remains high in this rural population. Prevention aimed at vulnerable rural communities is urgently needed to contain the HIV epidemic.
Facial palsy after glomus jugulare tumour embolization

Abstract Facial palsy after pre-operative embolization of glomus tumours is a rare complication. In our case, complete facial palsy occurred within four hours after embolization with polyvinyl alcohol foam. Three days later, embolization material was found in the perineural vessels of the facial nerve in its mastoidal segment. Six months after complete tumour removal, facial decompression with perineural incision, and steroid therapy, facial function recovered completely. In cases of embolization of both stylomastoid and branches of the middle meningeal artery with resorbable material, temporary facial palsy can occur.
Reflective practice, experience, and the interpretation of anxiety symptoms

Abstract We offer an examination of the processes athletes undertake following a sporting experience in order to learn how to interpret their anxiety-related symptoms as facilitative to performance. Six experienced, elite athletes were interviewed regarding the reflective practices adopted following both positive and negative critical incidents with a view to generating knowledge about their competitive anxiety symptoms. Composite sequence analysis procedures were employed to allow data to be considered as meaningful sequences for both the positive and negative incidents. Findings showed distinctions between the effects of positive and negative incidents on the reflective and learning processes and how this influenced the further appraisal of competitive anxiety symptoms. Support is provided for the use of reflective practice as a framework for experiential learning within sport.
Efficacy of Interventions to Reduce Resident Physician Burnout: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Studies report high burnout prevalence among resident physicians, with little consensus on methods to effectively reduce it. OBJECTIVE This systematic literature review explores the efficacy of interventions in reducing resident burnout. METHODS PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using these key words: burnout and resident, intern, or residency. We excluded review articles, editorials, letters, and non-English-language articles. We abstracted data on study characteristics, population, interventions, and outcomes. When appropriate, data were pooled using random effects meta-analysis to account for between-study heterogeneity. Study quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (cohort studies) and Jadad scale (randomized control trials [RCTs]). RESULTS Of 1294 retrieved articles, 19 (6 RCTs, 13 cohort studies) enrolling 2030 residents and examining 12 interventions met criteria, with 9 studying the 2003 and 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour restrictions. Work hour reductions were associated with score decrease (mean difference, -2.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.12 to -1.34; P < . 001) and lower odds ratio (OR) for residents reporting emotional exhaustion (42%; OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.43-0.77; P < .001); a small, significant decrease in depersonalization score (-1.73; 95% CI -3.00 to -0.46; P = .008); and no effect on mean personal accomplishment score (0.93; 95% CI -0.19-2.06; P = .10) or for residents with high levels of personal accomplishment (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 0.67-1.54; P = .95). Among interventions, self-care workshops showed decreases in depersonalization scores, and a meditation intervention reduced emotional exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS The ACGME work hour limits were associated with improvement in emotional exhaustion and burnout.
The meaning and importance of employment to people in recovery from serious mental illness: results of a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE Given the high rates of unemployment and underemployment among individuals with psychiatric disabilities, only a small number of studies have investigated the role work has in the lives of people who have been successful vocationally during their recovery from serious mental illness. This study sought to add to existing literature by determining how individuals perceive work and its effect on their recovery. METHODS We purposefully recruited self-referred participants at moderate to advanced levels of recovery and qualitatively analyzed semi-structured interviews conducted with 23 individuals to identify themes related to work in the context of recovery from serious mental illness. RESULTS Participants described myriad positive benefits associated with paid employment, which conceptually fell across two main domains: work has personal meaning and work promotes recovery. Participants discussed the ways in which work fostered pride and self-esteem, offered financial benefits, provided coping strategies for psychiatric symptoms, and ultimately facilitated the process of recovery. Participants also discussed the importance and benefits associated with working in a helper-role and as consumer providers. CONCLUSIONS Overall, individuals reported that employment conferred significant benefits in their process of recovery from mental illness and that work played a central role in their lives and identities. The themes from this study should be considered when developing employment or other recovery-oriented programs for people with serious mental illness.
Extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma: a single-institution experience.

BACKGROUND Extrapulmonary small-cell carcinoma (EPSCC) has been recognized as a clinicopathological entity distinct from small-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. This study aimed to review the clinical features, therapy and natural course of patients with EPSCC in Oriental single-institution series. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with SCC between September 1995 and December 2002. Study eligibility required that patients had pathologically proven SCC in sites other than lung and normal radiological findings of the chest and normal sputum cytology or negative bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS Twenty-four patients with EPSCC were identified and primary sites were various: uterine cervix in seven (29%), urinary bladder in five, colon or rectum in three, kidney in two and stomach, esophagus, pancreas, common bile duct, larynx, parotid gland, thymus in one each. Sixteen patients (66.7%) had limited disease (LD) and eight had extensive disease (ED). Patients with ED received mostly platinum-based chemotherapy, for which the response rate was 57%, but showed an aggressive natural history, with median overall survival (OS) of 9.2 months. Patients with LD were treated with a variety of therapeutic modalities. LD SCC of the cervix showed a favorable clinical course, with five patients being disease-free with a median follow-up of 28.4 months. Patients with LD SCC of sites other than cervix had an aggressive course with a median OS of 9.6 months. CONCLUSION EPSCC was identified in various sites, with the most common primary site being the uterine cervix. Regardless of the primary site or disease stage, EPSCC of sites other than cervix was usually a fatal disease with a discouraging outcome for various treatment modalities.
An assessment of the safe delivery incentive program at a tertiary level hospital in Nepal.

BACKGROUND Maternity incentive program of Nepal known as Safe Delivery Incentive Program (SDIP) was introduced nationwide in 2005 with the intention of increasing utilization of professional care at childbirth. The program provided both childbirth service as well as 'cash' to women giving birth in a health facility in addition to incentives to health provider for each delivery attended, either at home or the facility. Due to a lack of uniformity in its implementation and administrative delays, the program was reformed and even extended to many not-for-profit health institutions in early 2007, and implemented as a 'Safer Mother Program' popularly known as "Aama-Suraksha-Karyakram" since January 2009. METHODS This is a system research with observational and analytical components. Plausibility design is selected to evaluate the performance-based funding (PBF) as a system level intervention of maternity care using two instruments: Pay-For-Performance and Conditional-Cash-Transfer. It uses interrupted time-series to control for the natural trend. Research tools used are interviews, the focus group discussions and literature review. Numerical data are presented in simple graphs. While online random number generator was used partly, the purposive sampling was used for qualitative data. RESULTS There is a gross discrepancy in non-targeted service delivery at the tertiary level health facility. Overflooding of maternity cases has hampered gynecological admission and surgical management delaying subspecialty care and junior physicians' training. With the same number and quality of physical facility and human resource, the additional program has put more strains to service providers and administrators. CONCLUSIONS There should be adequate planning and preparation at all levels of health facilities; implementing a new program should not adversely affect another existing service delivery system. For the optional implementation, hospital organogram should be revised; and physical facilities and the low-risk birthing-centers with referral linkages should be expanded.
The efficiency of contraction in rabbit skeletal muscle fibres, determined from the rate of release of inorganic phosphate

1 The relationship between mechanical power output and the rate of ATP hydrolysis was investigated in segments of permeabilized fibres isolated from rabbit psoas muscle. 2 Contractions were elicited at 12 °C by photolytic release of ATP from the P3‐1‐(2‐nitrophenyl)ethyl ester of ATP (NPE‐caged ATP). Inorganic phosphate (Pi) release was measured by a fluorescence method using a coumarin‐labelled phosphate binding protein. Force and sarcomere length were also monitored. 3 ATPase activity was determined from the rate of appearance of Pi during each phase of contraction. The ATPase rate was 10.3 s−1 immediately following release of ATP and 5.1 s−1 during the isometric phase prior to the applied shortening. It rose hyperbolically with shortening velocity, reaching 18.5 s−1 at a maximal shortening velocity > 1 ML s−1 (muscle lengths s−1). 4 Sarcomeres shortened at 0.09 ML s−1 immediately following the photolytic release of ATP and at 0.04 ML s−1 prior to the period of applied shortening. The high initial ATPase rate may be largely attributed to initial sarcomere shortening. 5 During shortening, maximal power output was 28 W l−1. Assuming the free energy of hydrolysis is 50 kJ mol−1, the efficiency of contraction was calculated from the power output at each shortening velocity. The maximum efficiency was 0.36 at a shortening velocity of 0.27 ML s−1, corresponding to a force level 51 % of that in the isometric state. 6 At the maximal shortening velocity, only 10 % of the myosin heads are attached to the thin filaments at any one time.