Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Securitization, Deregulation, Economic Stability, and Financial Crisis, Part I - The Evolution of Securitization

This study analyzes the trends in the financial sector over the past 30 years, and argues that unsupervised financial innovations and lenient government regulation are at the root of the current financial crisis and recession. Combined with a long period of economic expansion during which default rates were stable and low, deregulation and unsupervised financial innovations generated incentives to make risky financial decisions. Those decisions were taken because it was the only way for financial institutions to maintain market share and profitability. Thus, rather than putting the blame on individuals, this paper places it on an economic setup that requires the growing use of Ponzi processes during enduring economic expansion, and on a regulatory system that is unwilling to recognize (on the contrary, it contributes to) the intrinsic instability of market mechanisms. Subprime lending, greed, and speculation are merely aspects of the larger mechanisms at work. It is argued that we need to change the way we approach the regulation of financial institutions and look at what has been done in other sectors of the economy, where regulation and supervision are proactive and carefully implemented in order to guarantee the safety of society. The criterion for regulation and supervision should be neither Wall Street's nor Main Street's interests but rather the interests of the socioeconomic system. The latter requires financial stability if it's to raise, durably, the standard of living of both Wall Street and Main Street. Systemic stability, not profits or homeownership, should be the paramount criterion for financial regulation, since systemic stability is required to maintain the profitability--and ultimately, the existence--of any capitalist economic entity. The role of the government is to continually counter the Ponzi tendencies of market mechanisms, even if they are (temporarily) improving standards of living, and to encourage economic agents to develop safe and reliable financial practices. See also, Working Paper No. 573.2, "Securitization, Deregulation, Economic Stability, and Financial Crisis, Part II: Deregulation, the Financial Crisis, and Policy Implications. "
Physical restraints practice in adult intensive care units in Egypt.

Physical restraints are commonly used in intensive care units to reduce the risk of injury and ensure patient safety. However, there is still controversy regarding the practice of physical restraints in such units. The purpose of this study was to investigate the practices of physical restraints among critical care nurses in El-Mansoura City, Egypt. The study involved a convenience sample of 275 critically ill adult patients, and 153 nurses. Data were collected from 11 intensive care units using a "physical restraint observation form" and a "structured questionnaire. " The results revealed that physical restraint was commonly used to ensure patient safety. Assessment of physical restraint was mainly restricted to peripheral circulation. The most commonly reported physically restrained site complications included: redness, bruising, swelling, and edema. The results illustrated a lack of documentation on physical restraint and a lack of education of patients and their families about the rationale of physical restraint usage. The study shed light on the need for standard guidelines and policies for physical restraint practices in Egyptian intensive care units.
Computationally efficient objective function for algebraic codebook optimization in ACELP

Speech coding with the ACELP paradigm is based on a least squares algorithm in a perceptual domain, where the perceptual domain is speciﬁed by a ﬁlter. This article shows that the computational complexity of this conventional deﬁnition of the least squares problem can be reduced by taking into account the impact of the zero impulse response into the next frame. The proposed modiﬁcation introduces a Toeplitz structure to a correlation matrix appearing in the objective function, which sim-pliﬁes the structure and reduces computations. It is shown that the proposed method reduces computational complexity up to 17% without reducing perceptual quality.
Dynamic recurrent neural networks

We survey learning algorithms for recurrent neural networks with hidden units and attempt to put the various techniques into a common framework. We discuss fixpoint learning algorithms, namely recurrent backpropagation and deterministic Boltzmann Machines, and non-fixpoint algorithms, namely backpropagation through time, Elman's history cutoff nets, and Jordan's output feedback architecture. Forward propagation, an online technique that uses adjoint equations, is also discussed. In many cases, the unified presentation leads to generalizations of various sorts. Some simulations are presented, and at the end, issues of computational complexity are addressed.
Extra-oral Traction and Functional Appliances—A Cephalometric Comparison

The importance of correcting Angle's Class II molar relationships during orthodontic treatment is discussed and two methods of achieving this correction are described. The literature is reviewed and an investigation designed to compare the modes of action of extra-oral traction and functional appliances is described. The base line for cephalometric measurement is taken as S-N with a perpendicular axis constructed at S in order to minimize errors due to growth occurring during the investigation period. Results suggest that neither appliance has significant effects on the horizontal growth of the dental bases, but that the clinical effect of molar relationship correction is substantially due to dento-alveolar changes.
The glucose metabolism in vitro of Trypanosoma rhodesiense.

at a time, and added to 100 ml. of a mixture of 1 volume of m/15 phosphate buffer (pH 7-4) and 1 volume of Ringer's solution con-taning 0.6% glucose. This investigation was carried out on a very large scale and many hundreds of mice were used. In one series of experiments 3% (v/v) of horse serum was added to the medium, since it, like rabbit serum, appeared to exercise a favourable influence on the survival of the trypanostmes as judged by the results of respiration and the yield of metabolic products, which was much larger when serum was present. In another series of experiments, serum was not added. The experiments to be described were directed to determine the presence or absence of glyoxalase and glutathione in such living organisms as have not been previously examined from this point of view. Our results added to those published indicate an exceedingly wide distribution of these cell constituents, especially of the enzyme. On the animal side we have dealt chiefly with invertebrates, which have been but little explored. Dakin & Dudley (1913) stated that glyoxalase
Ambulatory venous pressure revisited.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe a method for measuring the deep venous pressure changes in the lower extremity and compare it with those obtained in the dorsal foot vein. METHODS After cannulation of the posterior tibial vein, a catheter with a pressure transducer in its tip was inserted and placed at the knee joint level. The dorsal foot vein was also cannulated. Pressures were recorded simultaneously at both sites during toe stands and repeated with the probe in the upper, middle, and lower calf. RESULTS The study was performed in 45 patients with signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. Duplex Doppler scanning and ascending and descending venography performed before pressure measurements revealed saphenous vein incompetence in 11 lower extremities, incompetent perforators in 11 extremities (eight were combined with saphenous incompetence), and marked compression of popliteal vein with plantar flexion in 28 extremities. No significant deep axial reflux was observed on duplex Doppler examination or descending venography. No morphologic outflow obstruction was detected. The mean deep pressure at the knee joint level fell during toe stands, -15% +/- 27 (SD), and the mean dorsal foot vein pressure drop was even more marked, -75% +/- 22 (SD). Although the exercise pressure in the dorsal foot vein decreased in all patients (range, 13-90% drop), the popliteal vein pressure increased (4-72%) in nine limbs, decreased only marginally if at all in 15 limbs (0-15%), and fell more markedly in 21 extremities (22-65%). Deep vein recovery time was considerably shorter overall as compared with the findings by the dorsal vein measurement. In the comparison of limbs with and without superficial reflux, the recovery times in the deep system were significantly shorter in limbs with superficial incompetence. CONCLUSION Ambulatory dorsal foot venous pressure is not always accurate in detecting changes in the pressure of the tibial and popliteal veins. Although dorsal foot venous pressure may be normal, deep venous pressure may decrease to a lesser degree or even increase.
The Tor Vergata weaning of immunosuppression protocols in stable hepatitis C virus liver transplant patients: the 10‐year follow‐up

We report herein the 10‐year outcome of the Tor Vergata weaning off immunosuppression protocol in hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver transplant patients. Thirty‐four patients who had received a liver graft for HCV‐related cirrhosis were enrolled in a prospective study in which they were progressively weaned off immunosuppression. The primary endpoints were feasibility and safety of the weaning; the second aim was to assess fibrosis progression. At the 10‐year follow‐up, of the eight original tolerant patients, six remained IS‐free. Of the 26 individuals who could not be weaned, 22 were alive. When the baseline biopsies were compared with the 10‐year biopsies, the tolerant group showed no differences in staging, whereas the nontolerant group showed a significant increase in staging. The fibrosis progression rates calculated for the tolerant and the nontolerant groups were −0.06 ± 0.12 and 0.1 ± 0.2, respectively (P = 0.04). Furthermore, with the last taken biopsies, nine nontolerant patients were showing frank cirrhosis versus no cirrhosis among the tolerant patients. After a 10‐year follow‐up of a Tor Vergata weaning protocol, 6/34 patients completed follow‐up without reinstitution of immunosuppression and this appeared beneficial regarding a reduction in fibrosis progression.
Food marketing in the function of tourist product development

A tourist product should be observed as a total, i.e. integral, one, comprising material (goods) and immaterial (services) partial tourist products and partial tourist quasi‐products (being the results of a primary tourist offer that is not a result of human labor). The main idea of food marketing in foodstuff production, if observed as partial tourist products, implies that a guest, i.e. a tourist product consumer, is not only offered food and beverage as partial tourist products but that he also gets satisfied quantitatively, qualitatively, esthetically, ethnologically, gastronomically and in any other sense, including the accompanying immaterial partial tourist products, i.e. services, which will be eventually manifested in an increase in the room‐and‐board and, especially, secondary expenditures. Since the whole problem is analyzed using the example of the Republic of Croatia, simultaneously proposed are corresponding solutions in the field of food marketing that would be in the function of tourist product development.
The Role of Information Technology (IT) in Development and Increase of the Efficiency of Human Resources

Information Technology (IT) as a set of produced ideas is available for individuals and organizations through hardware mechanisms and plays a major role in the development of human resources. In today’s world, IT is the key factor of human development in organizations and communities. Trends and results of the literature review confirm contribution of the IT tools in human resources area i.e. to accomplish assigned human resources tasks by using the source of IT capabilities. In the current era the use of information systems and new technologies, especially IT in organizations and communities is the most important tool to improve efficiency and it will accelerate movement toward this direction. Improper use of it can impose problems to the organization and it also reduces productivity. The aim of this paper is to investigates the impact of IT on the productivity of human recourses and gives a brief overview about possibilities of IT usage in human resources field for measuring and tracking human capital and using the human resources information system generally. The results of this, study revealed that there is significant relationship between use of IT and human resource management functions, also a positive and significant effect of the ICTs on employment rate.
Oral vitamin D, still a viable treatment option for psoriasis

Abstract Vitamin D as a topical treatment has become one of the mainstays for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Oral vitamin D on the other hand has for the most part become a forgotten option. But a review of the literature on oral vitamin D as a treatment for psoriasis reveals that this treatment is efficacious. The main side effect of this therapy is hypercalcemia, which appears to be easily monitored and avoidable with proper dosing and monitoring. The literature also suggests a correlation between low levels of serum vitamin D in this patient population associated with increased severity of disease involvement. In addition, oral vitamin D improves psoriatic arthropathy. Moreover, vitamin D has been proven to have many health benefits such as prevention of cancer, improved cardiovascular health among many others. Psoriatic patients as a population are at increased risk of developing adverse health complications such as cardiovascular disease, and oral vitamin D may prove to be of benefit in this population. Oral vitamin D is inexpensive and easily available. It is still a viable option and should not be forgotten as a possible treatment for psoriasis.
Paraoxonase (PON1) polymorphism & its relation with lipids in north west Indian Punjabis.

We investigated 190 healthy, unrelated and randomly selected, north-west Indian Punjabis (M:102; F:88) for paraoxonase (PON1) polymorphism by dual substrate method and also determined lipid variables i.e., total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) in them to determine any relationship between PON1 activity, PON1 phenotypes and lipids. The basal plasma paraoxonase (PON) activity, and PON activity in presence of 1 Mol NaCl (salt activated paraoxonase i.e., SAP) were estimated by using paraoxon as substrate whereas the, phenyl acetate esterase (A) activity was estimated by using phenylacetate as substrate. Based on the ratio of SAP/A activity, three distinct phenotypes of PON1 could be determined with gene frequencies of PON*A (low activity) and PON*B (high activity) allele being 0.847 and 0.153 respectively. In the whole population on partial correlation after normalising the variables and after adjusting the lipids for age and body mass index (BMI), a significant negative correlation was observed between SAP/A ratio and TC (r = -0.290; P < 0.01) and LDL (r = -0.154; P < 0.05). However, on analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) after normalizing the lipid variables and adjusting these for age and body mass index (BMI), no significant difference could be observed in lipid profile of these three phenotypes. The lack of a significant relationship between lipids and PON1 phenotypes, suggests that PON phenotype does not significantly influence the lipid profile in north-west Indian Punjabis. However, a significant negative correlation between the PON activity and TC and LDL suggests that low PON activity could be a risk factor for atherosclerosis in these subjects.
Analysis of Seedling Subsidy Policy and Cocoa Production in South-West Nigeria

The study analysis seedling subsidy policy and cocoa production in south-west Nigeria. Data were collected with questionnaires and interviews. Purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of Key Informants on cocoa production. Descriptive statistics and content analytical techniques were used for analysing the collected data. Findings showed that 79%, 95% and 96% of local government areas in Oyo, Ondo and Osun States respectively are producing cocoa. Again, both Ondo and Oyo states have been supplying more than one million seedlings while Osun has been supplying 800,000 seedlings to their farmers every year since the commencement of seedling subsidy policy. The unit cost of the seedlings was between N10 and N20 in Ondo and Osun states respectively due to 50% subsidy while Oyo state was supplying the seedlings at 100% subsidy to the farmers. Ondo state produced the highest quantity of cocoa in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011 while Osun recorded highest production figure in 2007 and 2008. Inadequate funding, delay in release of funds and dearth of manpower are the major challenges to its implementation. The study recommends adequate and timely release of funds for seedling production and provision of 100% subsidy to enhance cocoa production in the country. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013. v3n4p59
Analysis of slag foaming during the operation of an industrial converter

−− In the converter operation, a proper control of the slag-metal reactions that take place along the process is required to guarantee successful results. During the decarburization reaction a high gas flow rate is generated which increases the slag volume and can, eventually, promote its spill out of the converter. In this work, samples of slag and metal were taken out of an industrial converter at different stages of the process using a special device. The evolution of slag weight and composition was determined. Furthermore, calculations were performed in order to estimate the foaming capacity of the slags at the different stages of the process. It was found that the foam height reaches a maximum in the first half of the process, mainly due to the higher slag viscosity. Keywords−− Steelmaking, Converter, Slags, Foaming.
The Investment Allocation of Sovereign Wealth Funds

Sovereign wealth funds have emerged as an important investor of global equity, attracting growing attention. Despite frequently voiced concerns that sovereign wealth funds serve political objectives, little is known about their investment allocation. We collect new data on close to 30,000 equity investments by sovereign wealth funds and using both a country-level and firm-level analysis find that they tend to invest in countries with common cultural traits. This cultural bias indicates that sovereign wealth funds prefer to invest in the familiar. While other global investors show similar aptitude to investing in the familiar, the cultural bias of sovereign wealth fund investment is particularly pronounced.
Incidence and Predictors of Mortality Among Newborns With Perinatal Asphyxia: A 4-Year Prospective Study of Newborns Delivered in Health Care Facilities in Enugu, South-East Nigeria

Fatalities from perinatal asphyxia remain high in developing countries, and continually assessing its risk factors will help improve outcomes in these settings. We explored how some identified risk factors predict mortality in asphyxiated newborns, to assist clinicians in prioritizing interventions. This was a 4-year prospective study conducted at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. All newborns who met the study criteria that were admitted to this facility in this period were enrolled and monitored. Data collected were analysed with SPSS Version 18. A total of 161 newborns with perinatal asphyxia were enrolled into the study with an in-hospital incidence rate of 12.81 per 1000 birth and a case fatality rate of 18%. Overall, the APGAR scores were severe in 10%, moderate in 22%, mild to normal in 68%, whereas the SARNAT stages were III in 24%, II in 52%, and I in 25%. In terms of mortality, 66.7%, 22.2%, and 11.1% mortalities were, respectively, observed with SARNAT scores III, II, and I (P = .003), whereas the findings with APGAR were 31.2% (severe), 25.0% (moderate), 25.0% (mild), and 18.8% (normal) (P = .030). Fatality outcome was more correlated with SARNAT (R = .280; P = .000) than APGAR (R = −.247; P = .0125). The SARNAT score significantly differentiated between the degrees of asphyxia in newborns based on gestational age at delivery (P = .010), place of delivery (P = .032), and mode of delivery (P = .042). Finally, it was noted that newborns that were female (P = .007), or born outside the hospital (P = .010), or with oxygen saturations <60% (P = .001), or with heart rate <120 (P = .000), and those with respiratory rate <30 (P = .003), all have significantly higher likelihood of deaths from asphyxia. Therefore, predictors of neonatal mortality from perinatal asphyxia in our centre include being female and being born outside the hospital, as well as low oxygen saturations, heart rates, and respiratory rates at presentation.
DISRUPTION OF THE PHOTORECEPTOR INNER SEGMENT/OUTER SEGMENT LAYER ON SPECTRAL DOMAIN-OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY IS A PREDICTOR OF POOR VISUAL ACUITY IN PATIENTS WITH EPIRETINAL MEMBRANES

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography-determined integrity of the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction on visual acuity in patients with epiretinal membranes (ERMs). Methods: This is a retrospective consecutive case series of 54 eyes from 48 patients with primary ERMs who underwent spectral domain-optical coherence tomography scans. Regression analysis was used to calculate the relative contribution of several variables, including photoreceptor IS/OS disruption, grade of IS/OS disruption, macular thickness, and ERM grade on fundus imaging to visual acuity. Results: The strongest individual predictor of visual acuity among patients with ERM was central retinal thickness on spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (r2 = 0.16, P = 0.0024), but the most efficient model was the combination of macular thickness and presence or absence of photoreceptor IS/OS disruption (r2 = 0.24, P = 0.0008). Additional measured variables did not significantly contribute to visual acuity prediction. Inner segment/outer segment layer integrity was also an independent predictor of visual acuity, and patients with IS/OS disruption were 6.88 times as likely to have 20/50 or worse vision than patients with intact photoreceptor layers (odds ratio: 6.88, confidence interval: 1.56–30.43, P = 0.01). Conclusion: Disruption of the photoreceptor IS/OS junction is a statistically significant predictor of poor visual acuity among patients with ERM and is most useful when combined with central retinal thickness measurement.