Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering nonlinearities in nanoscale optical systems: physics and applications in dispersion-engineered silicon nanophotonic wires

The nonlinear optics of Si photonic wires is discussed. The distinctive features of these waveguides are that they have extremely large third-order susceptibility χ(3) and dispersive properties. The strong dispersion and large third-order nonlinearity in Si photonic wires cause the linear and nonlinear optical physics in these guides to be intimately linked. By carefully choosing the waveguide dimensions, both linear and nonlinear optical properties of Si wires can be engineered. We review the fundamental optical physics and emerging applications for these Si wires. In many cases, the relatively low threshold powers for nonlinear optical effects in these wires make them potential candidates for functional on-chip nonlinear optical devices of just a few millimeters in length; conversely, the absence of nonlinear optical impairment is important for the use of Si wires in on-chip interconnects. In addition, the characteristic length scales of linear and nonlinear optical effects in Si wires are markedly different from those in commonly used optical guiding systems, such as optical fibers or photonic crystal fibers, and therefore guiding structures based on Si wires represent ideal optical media for investigating new and intriguing physical phenomena.
An introduction to key concepts in health economics for haemophilia organisations

The Global economic difficulties of the past five years have resulted in an increased focus on health economics, cost effectiveness analysis, cost benefit analysis and indicators examining the use of resources in health care. Health TechnologyAssessments (HTA) are the most widely used tool in Europe to measure the cost effectiveness of medical treatment. In the United States, Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) is most often used. These trends are unlikely to change. I am sure that there will be increased scrutiny on the cost of healthcare, specific interventions and routine treatment for rare diseases into the future. Rare diseases are often more expensive to treat than conditions with a higher incidence. There will almost inevitably be more work done by HTA agencies and other Government bodies in examining the costs of care for rare disorders in the future. Patient organisations who represent those with rare diseases need to embrace this reality, engage positively with the process, understand the scientific data, collaborate in the production of treatment and outcome data and ensure that their voices are formally heard as an integral part of the process. The information in this chapter specifically relates to HTA’s in haemophilia. However, the approach taken, the focus on the data required in any given situation and the response required is an approach which can be taken by any patient organisation dealing with any condition and more specifically with any rare disease. People with haemophilia require lifelong treatment with clotting factor in order to manage frequent bleeding episodes and reduce the risk of joint damage requiring surgery and/or resulting in restricted mobility (as well as other potential organ damage). The prevention of bleeds with factor concentrate has become standard practice for the treatment of haemophilia. To date there have been few restrictions on funding and access to new treatments for haemophilia in developed countries. However, a climate change is occurring in haemophilia as new expensive products come to market, health care payers turns to questions of whether costs can be controlled without major detriment to patients. As a result, the areas of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and evidence based medicine are increasing efforts to collect data on patient
Perceptions and Health Care Seeking Practices of Guardians of Young Children Towards Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media in Machakos County, Kenya

Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) occurs as a complication of untreated, or inadequately treated acute otitis media, commonly in the first five years of life. CSOM is related to poor socio-economic conditions and is the commonest cause of persistent mild to moderate hearing impairment in children and young people in developing countries. When the hearing loss associated with CSOM occurs during the first two years of life, it is likely to have serious effects on (the period of) language development of a young child, with sub-sequent delays in school progress. This study was therefore designed to determine the perceptions and health care seeking practices of guardians of young children towards CSOM in Machakos County. A cross sectional descriptive study using an interview schedule was carried out on 400 guardians with under five years old children seeking medical attention in two public health facilities in Machakos County. The main objective was to determine the prevalence, perceptions, health care seeking practices and the socio-demographic factors associated with CSOM in children. The study was conducted in one purposively selected health facility in each of the two conveniently selected districts. Probability proportional to size sampling method was used to determine the number of guardians to participate from each health facility. Data collected was processed using SPSS. Chi-square and contingency coefficient measure of association was used to determine the significance and extent of the relationship between the variables. CSOM was found in 12(3%) of the children and an overall prevalence rate of 0.03% calculated. There was a significant relationship between CSOM infection in young children and guardians’ relationship to child (p=0.008) and guardians age (p=0.003). However, there was no significant relationship between gender of child (p=0.958), birth position of child in the family (p=0.846), size of family (p=0.967), marital status (p=0.727), education level of guardian (p=0.349) and CSOM infection in young children. A large proportion of the guardians was aware of CSOM symptoms, but had limited knowledge on cause and associated factors. The guardians had the right perceptions on susceptibility, prevention, curability and outcome of untreated CSOM. Instilling chicken soup, gun oil and juice from traditional herbs in the ear were popular practices by the community. Sensitization program to the community, formulation and implementation of a policy on primary ear care by government and its stakeholders, and a national survey on prevalence of CSOM and other middle ear diseases are required.
A BITTER PILL OR SWEET NECTAR?: CONTRADICTORY ATTITUDES OF SALARIED WORKERS TO ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION IN INDIA*

The intensification of the globalization of the Indian economy over the past decade has dramatically influenced social life in India, both economically and culturally. This paper presents, and accounts for, the contradictory but critical attitudes towards liberalization held by the lower middle classes in Bengali society by documenting localized responses to the globalization of the Indian economy. Based on recent fieldwork among lower middle class salaried workers in West Bengal, this paper has two main aims. First, it examines whether policies of economic liberalization have provided an overall improvement in the standard of living for lower-income workers and their households. Our findings show that an overwhelming majority universally condemn policies of liberalization for serving the needs of a wealthy minority; they themselves have not materially gained. Second, we explore the complexities of cultural globalization, especially in terms of the dramatic changes to Indian television. On the whole, the free flow of information engendered through global media was positively evaluated, albeit at times they took a critical view of the culturally inappropriate foreign influences.
Effects of Autoimmunity and Immune Therapy on β-Cell Turnover in Type 1 Diabetes

β-Cell mass can expand in response to demand: during pregnancy, in the setting of insulin resistance, or after pancreatectomy. It is not known whether similar β-cell hyperplasia occurs following immune therapy of autoimmune diabetes, but the clinical remission soon after diagnosis and the results of recent immune therapy studies suggest that β-cell recovery is possible. We studied changes in β-cell replication, mass, and apoptosis in NOD mice during progression to overt diabetes and following immune therapy with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or immune regulatory T-cells (Tregs). β-Cell replication increases in pre-diabetic mice, after adoptive transfer of diabetes with increasing islet inflammation but before an increase in blood glucose concentration or a significant decrease in β-cell mass. The pathogenic cells are responsible for increasing β-cell replication because replication was reduced during diabetes remission induced by anti-CD3 mAb or Tregs. β-Cell replication stimulated by the initial inflammatory infiltrate results in increased production of new β-cells after immune therapy and increased β-cell area, but the majority of this increased β-cell area represents regranulated β-cells rather than newly produced cells. We conclude that β-cell replication is closely linked to the islet inflammatory process. A significant proportion of degranulated β-cells remain, at the time of diagnosis of diabetes, that can recover after metabolic correction of hyperglycemia. Correction of the β-cell loss in type 1 diabetes will, therefore, require strategies that target both the immunologic and cellular mechanisms that destroy and maintain β-cell mass.
Knowledge of hypertension among the staff of University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Several lines of evidence have suggested that hypertension and its related complications are major health problems not only in Nigeria but the entire world. Thus, this study examined the awareness about the risk factors and complications associated with hypertension at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Questionnaire instrument was used to collect data from a randomly selected 556 subjects selected across faculties, departments and sectional units of the University. The descriptive statistics showed that some members of staff demonstrated a relatively high level of knowledge about the complications associated with hypertension but knowledge about the risk factors and attitude towards the illness was still low. However, level of education significantly influences awareness of complications (at 0.05) and knowledge of risk factors (at 0.05). On-job screening and educative programmes are fundamental ways to improve knowledge about hypertension at the work-place. Key words: Awareness, knowledge, hypertension, high blood pressure, risk factors, complications.
Comorbidade entre depressão e doenças clínicas em um ambulatório de geriatria

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between depression and clinical illness among a group of elderly in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The study population included 1,120 individuals over 60 years of age treated at a geriatric outpatient clinic. Crude and stratified prevalence ratios were calculated. Data were stratified by gender, age, and nutritional status. Ninety-five percent of the sample presented at least one chronic disease, the most frequent being hypertension (62.2%), osteoarthritis (40%), and urinary incontinence (35%). Depression was diagnosed in 23.4%, more commonly among women (PR = 1.28; 95%CI: 0.99-1.65) and those under 75 years (PR = 1.24; 95%CI: 1.00-1.53). There was an association between number of chronic diseases (> 3) and depression (PR = 1.31; 95%CI: 1.04-1.66). Parkinson's disease was associated with depression, more evident among females (PR = 1.59; 95%CI: 1.05-2.41) and in the 70-79-year age group (PR = 2.02; 95%CI: 1.28-3.20). The study demonstrates an association between depression and chronic comorbidity. Since many elderly present multiple chronic diseases, health professionals should be alert to the possibility of depressive symptoms in these patients.
Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for T2 Renal Cell Carcinomas

Purpose: A laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) has emerged as the standard care in appropriate candidates with stage T1 renal tumors (7cm or less). We extended our experience of LRN to stage T2 renal tumors (greater than 7cm), and compared the results with those of LRN for stage T1 renal tumors, as well as with those of an open radical nephrectomy (ORN) for stage T2 renal tumors. Materials and Methods: Between January 2001 and December 2004, a total of 67 patients, who underwent LRN for renal cell carcinomas, were retrospectively subdivided into the LRNT1 (n=48, tumor size≤7cm) or LRNT2 (n=19, tumor size>7cm) groups. The surgical outcomes and perioperative morbidities were retrospectively evaluated. Also, the results of the LRNT2 group were compared with those of the open radical nephrectomy T2 group (ORNT2, n=29). Results: Compared with the LRNT1 group, the LRNT2 group only had larger tumors, but comparable operation time, blood loss, variation in the creatinine value (ΔCr), analgesics requirements, time to ambulate and diet, hospital stay and complication rates. The tumor sizes were similar in the two groups (p=0.260). However, the LRNT2 group had shorter operation time (p=0.039), lesser blood loss (p=0.044), ΔCr (p=0.027), analgesic requirements (p<0.001) and time to ambulation, diet and hospital stay (p< 0.001, all). Conclusions: A LRN for stage T2 renal tumors is feasible and efficacious. The surgical outcomes were comparable with those of a LRN for stage T1 tumors, with the advantages of decreased blood loss and more rapid recovery over that of an ORN for comparable tumors greater than 7cm in size. (Korean J Urol 2006;47:1139-1143) 󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏󰠏
Menisco lateral discóide: correlação anátomo-clínica

Discoid lateral meniscus: anatomic and clinical correlation The normal lateral meniscus is morphologically more variable that the medial meniscus. The abnormal lateral meniscus varies with respect to size, shape, and stability. The most common variant is the discoid lateral meniscus. The authors saw 46 discoid lateral menisci in 896 arthroscopies performed between 1989 and 1996. From this total, 21 were symptomatic. It is the purposes of this paper to correlate the clinical L.A. J. MOTTA Fo, L.A. J. MOTTA & G.R. MOTTA Fo 458 Rev Bras Ortop _ Vol. 34, No 8 – Agosto, 1999 das Clínicas São Gonçalo e Santa Lúcia, 896 artroscopias da articulação do joelho. Foi feito o diagnóstico de menisco lateral discóide em 46 joelhos (5,13%), de 45 pacientes, sendo 16 (35,56%) do sexo masculino e 29 (64,44%) do feminino. Em 22 pacientes (47,83%) o joelho acometido foi o direito e em 24 (52,17%), o esquerdo. A média de idade foi de 38 anos, variando de nove a 68 anos. Todos os procedimentos cirúrgicos foram realizados pela mesma equipe, a anestesia foi geral em cinco casos e bloqueio espinhal nos outros 41. Foi utilizado um artroscópio da marca Storz®, modelo 4200 BW, com angulação de 30o; uma endocâmera e fonte de luz Dyonics ® e um videocassete Panasonic VHS®. Os pacientes foram avaliados pré-operatoriamente por meio de um questionário no qual eram indagados objetivamente a respeito do início dos sintomas, da presença de dor, bloqueios, estalos, falseios, inchação e história de punções. Em relação ao exame físico foram verificados, entre outros achados, a existência de limitação da extensão, presença de estalidos, derrame articular, atrofia muscular do quadríceps e dor à palpação das interlinhas articulares. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame radiográfico do joelho em pelo menos duas incidências, ântero-posterior (AP) e perfil e, mais recentemente, a ressonância magnética. Todos os procedimentos foram gravados em fitas de videocassete e posteriormente revistos. Para a realização deste estudo os pacientes foram separados em dois grupos: sintomáticos e assintomáticos no que diz respeito a sintomas relacionados com o menisco lateral. Os meniscos foram considerados segundo a classificação artroscópica de Watanabe et al.(19) em completos, incompletos e tipo ligamento de Wrisberg (figs. 1A, 1B, 2 e 3). Essa classificação baseia-se no grau de cobertura do planalto tibial e na inserção posterior do menisco lateral na cápsula. Finalmente, foi feita a correlação do tipo de menisco com os sinais e sintomas pré-operatórios.
Phototherapeutic Keratectomy for Treatment of Corneal Diseases: Our Experience at King Hussein Medical Center

phototherapeutic keratectomy for various corneal conditions were included in the study. Patients with any systemic disease that would affect epithelial healing such as diabetes or systemic lupus were excluded from the study. Data was collected including patient's age, gender, visual acuity, primary diagnosis, refraction, corneal thickness using Pentacam (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) and presence of any systemic disease. All patients were followed after one week of treatment. Bandage contact lens was removed and the cornea checked for epithelial healing and the patients were followed up for at least 6 months after treatment. Results: One hundred and forty-six eyes of 146 patients with a mean age of 57 years (range 7 to 74 years) were enrolled in the study, 87 of them were males. The most common type of corneal pathology found was band keratopathy (37%) followed by old superficial corneal scars (22%), other pathologies found included: Salzmann nodules (12%), bullous keratopathy (9%), spheroidal degeneration (6%), keratoconus with nebula (6%), granular dystrophy (3%), Reis Buckler dystrophy (3%) and recurrent corneal erosions syndrome (3%). Ninety percent of patients experienced improvement in their vision. All patients showed satisfactory improvement in either visual acuity or symptoms of pain and discomfort in the immediate post operative period. Conclusion: Phototherapeutic keratectomy is a safe and very effective procedure to be used for treatment of various surface corneal lesions.
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Acceptance of Old Age Home Placement: A Study of Elderly Chinese in Hong Kong

This study examined psychosocial factors associated with the acceptance of long-term placement in old age homes (OAHs) among 185 elderly Chinese in Hong Kong. Participants were recruited from local community centers for elderly people and were individually interviewed on their willingness to enter OAHs, attitudes toward OAHs, perceived mental and physical health status, and beliefs about filial piety and independence. Results showed that only 20% of the participants indicated their willingness to enter OAHs in the coming 6 months. Among depicted services and facilities in OAHs, participants rated the quality of OAH staff as the most important, whereas the choice of food and mealtimes were viewed as the least important. Participants were more willing to enter OAHs if depicted services and facilities were provided at OAHs. Findings of the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that salient correlates of willingness to enter OAHs were positive attitudes toward OAHs, poor perceived physical health, male gender, and a low need for independence. Prior visits to OAHs and filial piety beliefs were unrelated to participants’acceptance of OAH care. Service and policy implications in promoting elderly people’s sense of autonomy and acceptance of OAH care, reducing the cost of placement in OAHs, and ensuring the quality of services and care in OAHs are also discussed.
Inequities in health and health care between provinces of Iran: promoting equitable health care resource allocation

Investigation of the influence of public expenditure on health lends support to the opinion that equitable distribution of financial resources would help to reduce inequities in health. This thesis set out to establish inequities in access to health care and health outcomes across the provinces of Iran and explore equitable resource allocation models to contribute to the reduction of health inequities. Inequities were measured based on the relationship between a range of health indicators and socioeconomic status in the provinces. Information on mortality, morbidity, and socioeconomic factors were taken respectively from the Death Registration System, Health Profile in Iran (2003), and Iran's 2006 census. There were significant relationships between mortality and socioeconomic indicators across the provinces, with the larger rates of mortality in the worst-off provinces. Coronary risk factors (diabetes, high serum cholesterol) were significantly associated with socioeconomic factors; with higher prevalence of the risk factors in the well-off provinces. There were also significant relationships between access to health services (hospital delivery and vaccination) and socioeconomic status; with lower access in the worst-off provinces. The resource allocation models based on population size and age/sex structure changed the health expenditure in favour of the well-off provinces to contribute to the reduction of inequities in morbidities. However, models based on mortality and deprivation changed the expenditure towards the worst-off provinces, in order to bridge the inequities in mortality and access to health services. Equity targets set, based on a combination of age/sex, mortality, and deprivation, indicated that nineteen provinces had received a share of expenditure higher than the equity target, with the largest in Mazanderan and seven provinces received a share lower than the target, with the largest in Tehran. A five-year plan was developed to move the expenditure from the hyper-financed provinces to the under- financed ones.
Gender within a specialist police department: an examination of the cultural dynamics of a firearms unit

This thesis examines the cultural dynamics within a specialist policing department with a particular focus on the issue of gender. It explores the experiences of a sample group of police officers working within the firearms unit of one metropolitan police force. Culture, the history of policing, specialist departments and the introduction of women are considered in order to gain an in depth understanding of the organisation. Previous research into police culture suggests masculine values remain intensely dominant, particularly within the firearms arena, ultimately creating an environment, which outwardly appears unattractive to women. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with twenty-one police officers including eleven male and ten female officers from Constable to Inspector rank. The research focused on the pre-joining experiences of the officers involved and also their personal experiences of life on the firearms unit. The study identified that the issues within the firearms unit appear not to be about gender: there was little evidence to suggest that officers within the firearms unit were treated differently or unfairly due to their gender. What was apparent was the presence of in-group/out-group distinctions, with an overwhelming desire from both genders to be accepted and to "fit-in". This has implications with regards to the research concerning occupational cultures, including police culture in particular.
“Dowry Deaths” in Andhra Pradesh, India

This article is an outcome of a research project that focused on the incidence, pattern, and judicial response of what have been labeled “dowry deaths” in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Cases that had been committed to court and tried during the 5-year period from 1988 to 1992 formed the database for the investigation. There were 498 reported cases of unnatural deaths of married women committed to court during this period in the two metropolitan cities and three districts that represent the distinct regions of the state of Andhra Pradesh. Of them, it was possible to obtain access to and analyze 340 cases. The article examines the reasons for the violence and analyzes the responses of the criminal justice system.