Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In pursuit of evidence-based policy and practice: a realist synthesis-inspired examination of youth sport and physical activity initiatives in England (2002–2010)

During the period from 2002 to 2010, the significance of youth sport to the Labour government in England led to substantial funding for initiatives aimed at increasing young people’s participation in sport and physical activity. In keeping with the government’s rhetoric of evidence-based policy, a plethora of different research reports on specific youth sport initiatives were commissioned. The purpose of this study was to synthesise relevant reports to better understand the implementation of Labour’s youth sport policies and to consider the extent to which insights drawn from these reports could extend understanding of effective approaches to improving young people’s participation in sport and physical activity. Inspired by a ‘realist synthesis’ approach, the research methodology focused attention towards the mechanisms, contexts and outcomes of youth sport initiatives. An iterative six-stage approach guided the identification and analysis of 13 research reports and enabled refinement of an initial programme theory that, drawn from governmental policy, encompassed mechanisms associated with management, use of resources and the provision of activities. In practice, approaches to addressing long-recognised problems in the supply of youth sport opportunities were supported by the scale of nationally provided financial resources and were reported to have some positive impact on participation. However, there were also indications that long-standing inequalities in participation remained resistant to change and this potentially reflected the lack of innovation in youth sport initiatives. Similarly, it is concluded that the politically constrained focus of the research reports limited their potential to contribute to evidence-based policy.
Revisiting the Coyne Affair: A Singular Event that Changed the Course of Canadian Monetary History

The Coyne Affair occurred during the 1959-61 period and led to the resignation of the governor. Eventually major reforms of the Bank of Canada Act were enacted. Archival and empirical evidence is used to assess the performance of monetary policy throughout the 1950s. In doing so, a real-time data set is constructed for both Canada and the US that permits the estimation of a reaction function. I find that while the case against James Coyne is `not proven,' there was a brief period when monetary policy was excessively tight, and this may well have worsened an already weak economic environment.
Millimeter-wave channels in urban environments

Since millimeter-wave (mm-wave) communications systems deployed in urban environments will be an important component of next-generation cellular communications, it is important to understand the propagation channels those systems will be working in. This paper provides an overview of the state of the art in urban mm-wave channel modeling, and outlines directions for future research. Propagation at mm-wave differs in several critical aspects from those at microwave frequencies: much higher free-space pathloss, a smaller number of multipath components, the inefficiency of diffraction as a propagation process, the importance of body shadowing, and possibly more diffuse scattering all impacts the channel characteristics. The paper will also review the new challenges for channel sounding in this frequency band, in particular for the pathloss, and finally review stochastic and semi-deterministic modeling approaches suitable for these channels. It is clear that while some important work has been done, a lot of topics remain open for future work.
What Kind of Trouble? Meeting the Health Needs of ‘Troubled Families’ through Intensive Family Support

The policy rhetoric of the UK Coalition government's ‘Troubled Families’ initiative, and that of New Labour's earlier Respect Agenda, share an emphasis on families’ responsibilities, or rather their irresponsibility, and their financial costs to society. Giving children a chance of a better life coincides, in this framing, with reducing costs for the taxpayer. The research reported here was based on a national study of Family Intervention Projects (FIPs), funded by the UK government between 2009 and 2012, beginning under New Labour, continuing over a period when the FIP programme was discontinued, and ending after the Troubled Families programme had begun. The research involved over 100 in-depth interviews with stakeholders, including service managers, family key workers, and caregivers and children in twenty families, to consider critical questions about the kinds of trouble that families experience in their lives, and how they are recognised in the policy and practice of intensive family intervention.
Do rating agencies’ decisions impact stock risks? Evidence from European markets

This article analyses the effect of rating agencies’ decisions on stock risks for European issuers concerning five kinds of events. Our approach is an extension of dummy variable regression event study methodology, using a GARCH(1,1) estimation to capture simultaneously the impact on both systematic and specific stock risks. This new methodology allows us to obtain both global results by categories of rating decisions and individual results, event by event. We document, globally, a positive impact of upgrading on systematic risk, a negative impact of rating confirmation on specific risk, and no significant impact in all other cases. Regarding event-by-event results, the proportion of rating actions exhibiting a significant effect on risk is almost always observed between 20% and 30%. The weak evidence of a global effect on systematic risk may be due to the lack of informational content of the rating decisions on the stocks’ risk, or the existence of rebalancing effects between systematic and idiosyncratic risks. Furthermore, it should be noticed that the decline in volatility in case of a rating affirmed is an insight of the certification role played by the agencies.
Working Memory Modulates the Association between Time and Number Representation

Time and numbers are interconnected in mental representation. Here we investigated whether this interaction between time and number could be modulated by working memory (WM). In experiment 1 participants first memorized a digit and then judged which of the two digits presented in succession were presented for longer (or shorter), with either one or neither of them being the same as the WM digit. The results showed that, when one of two digits was the same as the WM content, the numerical magnitude effect on temporal performance was abolished, whereas the interference effect occurred only when both the two digits were not the same as the WM content. In order to further investigate whether this effect was due to stimuli repetition, we instructed participants in experiment 2 to merely attend to the original digit but not memorize it during a time judgment task. The results did not reveal the modulation of WM content on time–number link. The WM-based interference effect, however, might reflect decision bias rather than perception illusion. In experiment 3 we eliminated response biases by using equality judgments, and found that WM content had no impact on time–number link. Finally, we conducted experiment 4 (comparative duration judgment) and experiment 5 (equality duration judgment) by manipulating WM load, and demonstrated that the WM-based interference effect was relevant to the duration of the WM content solely in comparative judgment. We concluded that the mental association between time and number representation could be modulated by WM at decision level.
Flight Home, Flight Abroad and International Credit Cycles

This paper shows that banks exhibit a weaker (stronger) home bias in the extension of new loans when funding conditions in their home country improve (deteriorate). We refer to these changes in home bias as flight abroad and flight home effects, respectively, and show that they are unrelated to the better known flight to quality effect that arises during periods of market turmoil. Our results also indicate that global banks amplify the effect of homegrown shocks on foreign countries while they are a stabilizing factor for the supply of credit in their home countries.
Conditional Cash Transfers and School Dropout Rates

This paper evaluates a United Kingdom pilot study designed to test whether a means-tested conditional cash transfer paid to 16- to 18-year-olds for staying in full-time education is an effective way of reducing the proportion of school dropouts. The transfer’s impact is substantial: In the first year, full-time education participation rates increase by around 4.5 percentage points while the proportion receiving two years of education increases by around 6.7 percentage points. Those receiving the full payment have the largest initial increase in participation and some evidence is found suggesting that part of the effect can be explained by liquidity constraints.
The intima. Soil for atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Thirty years ago, John French wrote a seminal review describing the unique properties of the arterial intima.1 His major point was that the smooth muscle cells of the intima have a unique morphology (Fig 1⇓). French also pointed out that intimal formation appeared during normal development and aging as well as in the response of arteries to almost any imaginable injury, including atherosclerosis. Figure 1. Top left, Histology of intima vs media. Coronary artery is from an adult patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. In the absence of atherosclerosis, there remains diffuse intimal hyperplasia. The intima is several cell layers thick and composed of smooth muscle cells and is separated from the distinct media by the internal elastic lamina (arrows) (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×200). Top right, Advanced atherosclerosis of the left circumflex coronary artery. This lesion was treated by percutaneous balloon angioplasty 23 days before the patient’s death. Note the complex nature of the lesion with a distinct fibrous cap (FC), intimal hyperplasia (IHP), intramural hemorrhage (H), and a necrotic core (NC) composed of inflammatory cells and accumulated lipid (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×100). Bottom left, Myxomatous tissue. Directional coronary atherectomy specimen from a restenotic lesion shows stellate-shaped smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle cells with this appearance are often regarded as evidence of proliferation. Note the homogeneity of these cells and the absence of inflammatory and endothelial cells in this region (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×200). Bottom right, Directional coronary atherectomy specimen from a primary lesion. Again, note the presence of stellate-shaped smooth muscle cells but a denser connective tissue matrix (hematoxylin and eosin, original magnification ×200). This article attempts to update French’s review. We will discuss the developmental origins of the intima and suggest that the arterial intima is a distinct tissue with a long and …
A reappraisal of the genus Leptocylindrus (Bacillariophyta), with the addition of three species and the erection of Tenuicylindrus gen. nov

Centric diatoms of the genus Leptocylindrus are common in the marine plankton worldwide. Only two species, L. danicus Cleve and L. minimus Gran, so far clearly belong to this genus, whose diversity has not been fully investigated. We investigated frustule and spore morphology as well as three nuclear‐ and three plastid‐encoded markers of 85 Leptocylindrus strains from the Gulf of Naples, and one from the Atlantic US. The strains grouped into five molecularly distinct species with different levels of morphological differentiation. Two species matched the description of L. danicus and produced similar spores but differed in morphometric characters and sub‐central pore position, supporting the description of L. hargravesii Nanjappa and Zingone as a distinct species. Leptocylindrus danicus var. apora French III and Hargraves, lacking a sub‐central pore and not forming spores, was raised to the species level as L. aporus (French III and Hargraves) Nanjappa and Zingone. A fourth species with convex valves was described as L. convexus Nanjappa and Zingone. The fifth species matched the description of L. belgicus Meunier, considered as synonym of L. minimus. However, ultrastructural differences from all other Leptocylindrus supported the erection of the genus Tenuicylindrus Nanjappa and Zingone with T. belgicus (Meunier) Nanjappa and Zingone as type species. None of the sequences matched the L. minimus sequence in GenBank. The species analyzed showed different or partially overlapping seasonal distributions. Despite the addition of the new taxa, the ancient diatom lineage of the Leptocylindraceae shows a relative species poorness and considerable morphological stasis.
Combination Treatment of Low-Frequency rTMS and Occupational Therapy with Levodopa Administration: An Intensive Neurorehabilitative Approach for Upper Limb Hemiparesis After Stroke

ABSTRACT The combination treatment of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and intensive occupational therapy was applied with concomitant oral administration of levodopa in five post-stroke patients with upper limb hemiparesis (age at treatment: 56–66 years; interval between onset of stroke and treatment: 18–143 months) as a 15-day inpatient protocol. Daily levodopa administration of 100 mg was initiated 1 week before admission and continued until 4 weeks after discharge. Low-frequency rTMS of 1 Hz was applied to the contralesional hemisphere for 40 min daily (two 20-min sessions) combined with intensive occupational therapy consisting of 60-min one-on-one training and 60-min self-exercise. Motor function of the affected upper limb was serially evaluated with the Fugl–Meyer Assessment and the Wolf Motor Function Test. At the end of the treatment, all patients showed improved motor function in the affected upper limbs. In some patients, the improvement was maintained until 4 weeks after discharge. No patient showed any adverse effect from the intervention. Our proposed protocol featuring levodopa administration, low-frequency rTMS, and intensive occupational therapy could provide a safe and feasible intervention for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke.
An individual learning belief and its impact on schools’ improvement work – An Individual versus a Social Learning Perspective

Why do some schools fail to improve even after taking knowledge-based improvement initiatives? In this article, we argue that some schools do not improve because their staff members have an individual learning belief. An individual learning approach to school improvement will disrupt development processes. Whereas, as we argue, a social learning understanding of school improvement based on the theory of Community of Practice and its application may provide schools with a theoretical understanding which enables successful implementation. The results of two major improvement projects in Norway illustrate how some schools fail to successfully implement improvement due to the voluntary nature of participation, the lack of situated activities in relation to the improvement objective, the low frequency of meetings and the absence of systematic leadership. Our advice to schools is to revisit their beliefs about and understanding of learning so they can manage change among staff and carefully monitor the situations we highlight as being critical to success.
Incidence and risk factors of bleeding-related adverse events in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with ibrutinib

Ibrutinib is associated with bleeding-related adverse events of grade ≤2 in severity, and infrequently with grade ≥3 events. To investigate the mechanisms of bleeding and identify patients at risk, we prospectively assessed platelet function and coagulation factors in our investigator-initiated trial of single-agent ibrutinib for chronic lymphocytic leukemia. At a median follow-up of 24 months we recorded grade ≤2 bleeding-related adverse events in 55% of 85 patients. No grade ≥3 events occurred. Median time to event was 49 days. The cumulative incidence of an event plateaued by 6 months, suggesting that the risk of bleeding decreases with continued therapy. At baseline, von Willebrand factor and factor VIII levels were often high and normalized on treatment. Platelet function measured via the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100™) was impaired in 22 patients at baseline and in an additional 19 patients on ibrutinib (often transiently). Collagen and adenosine diphosphate induced platelet aggregation was tested using whole blood aggregometry. Compared to normal controls, response to both agonists was decreased in all patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, whether on ibrutinib or not. Compared to untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, response to collagen showed a mild further decrement on ibrutinib, while response to adenosine diphosphate improved. All parameters associated with a significantly increased risk of bleeding-related events were present at baseline, including prolonged epinephrine closure time (HR 2.74, P=0.012), lower levels of von Willebrand factor activity (HR 2.73, P=0.009) and factor VIII (HR 3.73, P=0.0004). In conclusion, both disease and treatment-related factors influence the risk of bleeding. Patients at greater risk for bleeding of grade ≤2 can be identified by clinical laboratory tests and counseled to avoid aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and fish oils. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01500733
Interplay between Cyclic AMP-Cyclic AMP Receptor Protein and Cyclic di-GMP Signaling in Vibrio cholerae Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae is a facultative human pathogen. The ability of V. cholerae to form biofilms is crucial for its survival in aquatic habitats between epidemics and is advantageous for host-to-host transmission during epidemics. Formation of mature biofilms requires the production of extracellular matrix components, including Vibrio polysaccharide (VPS) and matrix proteins. Biofilm formation is positively controlled by the transcriptional regulators VpsR and VpsT and is negatively regulated by the quorum-sensing transcriptional regulator HapR, as well as the cyclic AMP (cAMP)-cAMP receptor protein (CRP) regulatory complex. Transcriptome analysis of cyaA (encoding adenylate cyclase) and crp (encoding cAMP receptor protein) deletion mutants revealed that cAMP-CRP negatively regulates transcription of both VPS biosynthesis genes and genes encoding biofilm matrix proteins. Further mutational and expression analysis revealed that cAMP-CRP negatively regulates transcription of vps genes indirectly through its action on vpsR transcription. However, negative regulation of the genes encoding biofilm matrix proteins by cAMP-CRP can also occur independent of VpsR. Transcriptome analysis also revealed that cAMP-CRP regulates the expression of a set of genes encoding diguanylate cyclases (DGCs) and phosphodiesterases. Mutational and phenotypic analysis of the differentially regulated DGCs revealed that a DGC, CdgA, is responsible for the increase in biofilm formation in the Δcrp mutant, showing the connection between of cyclic di-GMP and cAMP signaling in V. cholerae.
Japan in Wales: a new IR

Following a brief consideration of the historical pattern of Japanese company start-up, and trades union recognition, this article goes on to analyse the contents of their single union agreements under the following headings: membership and representation; flexibility; communications; consultation; and continuity of production. The wider implications of the ‘new industrial relations' among Japanese companies in Wales are then examined.
Entrepreneurial Risk Taking of Private Family Firms

This article aims to increase our understanding of family firms’ entrepreneurial risk-taking behavior by looking at the differences between family and nonfamily firms and by studying variations among family firms. We find empirical support for a positive influence of a nonfamily CEO on the family firm’s level of entrepreneurial risk taking during the initial years of his or her CEO tenure and a leveling out of entrepreneurial risk taking as the CEO tenure of the nonfamily CEO is extended. We build on the concept of psychological ownership to explain these new findings.
Planning practices in the Greek ocean shipping industry

Purpose – To investigate and portray the nature and use of formal strategic planning in the Greek ocean shipping industry.Design/methodology/approach – Studies carried out in well‐developed industrialised countries, predominantly in the manufacturing sector, have contributed significantly to a better understanding and development of the strategic planning field. Nevertheless, there is lack of research based on countries and sectors/industries that are less conventional in nature. The study attempts to shed some light on how shipping management companies (SMC) carried out strategic planning, through a cross‐sectional study based on a random sample of 34 Greek shipping organisations.Findings – The main findings of the study concern the main planning dimensions: planning completeness, formality, internal and external orientation, CEO's involvement, planning horizons and revision frequencies.Research limitations/implications – The study provides a benchmark for the measurement of the development of strategic .
Falling in Love AgaiAnalysts' Estimates and Reality

An important factor investors use to evaluate stocks for investment is earnings per share. Many investors focus obsessively on EPS, comparing actual reported numbers with estimates and acting aggressively on the results. A comparison of monthly earnings estimates and actual earnings for 399 companies from 1982 through 1992 showed that, on average, estimated first month earnings were 57.1 percent higher than actual earnings. Estimates of full-year earnings made in the final month of the fiscal year still overestimated reported results, by 11.9 percent. Most of this overestimation bias was from companies that had been forecast to have positive earnings but actually had negative earnings. Market participants should factor in innate overestimation biases when making stock valuation judgments.
The Paradox of Merit Pay in the Public Sector

A growing consensus among administrators and academic researchers is that merit pay based on individual performance has failed in the public sector. At the same time, however, governments continue to express support for the merit pay concept. This article reviews the theoretical foundation and proposed advantages of merit pay systems, then identifies the four most critical problems associated with merit pay practices in the public service.
Civil society responses to poverty reduction strategies in Nicaragua

This paper considers the recent experience of civil society organizations in Nicaragua within the Poverty Reduction Strategies Papers (PRSP) process. The focus of the paper is not the poverty reduction strategy itself but rather civil society responses to this initiative in Nicaragua. It highlights the problems beginning to emerge within this process in relation to the World Bank-IMF, the national government and organized civil society. Fundamental to the conceptualization and design of PRSP is the idea of ‘national ownership’ facilitated by wide consultation and participation of civil society in the formulation and evaluation of individual country strategies. This paper uses Nicaragua’s PRSP process to examine the extent to which organized civil society can really influence PRSP formulation. It highlights the differences that exist in how poverty is defined and discussed by the key actors and examines civil society’s response to government proposals and the strategies they have adopted to promote an ‘alternative’ people-centred development perspective.