Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-harm and ethnicity: A systematic review

Aims: This review will focus on the rates, clinical characteristics, risk factors and methods of self-harm and suicide in different ethnic groups in the United Kingdom, providing an update synthesis of recent literature. Methods: Studies that met the inclusion criteria between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed using the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL. The methodological quality of each study was then assessed using a structured scoring system. Results: A total of 2,362 articles were retrieved, 10 of which matched the inclusion criteria were reviewed. Significant differences were found in the rates of self-harm between ethnic groups with Asian males being least likely to self-harm and Black females being most likely to self-harm. Also, Black and South Asian people were less likely to repeat self-harm. Factors that may help protect or predispose individuals to self-harm or attempt suicide (such as religion, mental health and coping styles) also differ between ethnic groups. Conclusions: There are clear ethnic differences in self-harm and suicide, which may be affected by factors such as cultural pressures and prevalence of mental illness. An awareness of these differences is vital to help prevent further attempts of self-harm and suicide. Further research into differences between ethnic and cultural groups and self-harm continues to be important.
Gauging a Firm's Financing Orientation: Integrating Predictions of the Trade-Off Theory, the Pecking Order Model, and the Market Timing Hypothesis

After critiquing arguments and evidence associated with the trade-off theory, the pecking order model, and the market timing hypothesis of corporate financing behavior, we develop a financing orientation hypothesis that integrates arguments from all three theories. The hypothesis posits that a firm's optimal leverage and its propensity to use debt to offset a current financing imbalance (i.e., the basic pecking order coefficient) are both largely driven by (i.e., are strongly inversely related to) the value of the firm's profitable investment opportunities. We test the hypothesis using data on U.S. firms for the years 1971-2009. The evidence is strongly consistent with the hypothesis, and resolves several puzzles lingering from previous empirical studies of the individual theories.
Factors influencing the comparability of poverty estimates across household surveys

ABSTRACT The South African existing literature on poverty mainly adopted the money-metric approach to examine poverty levels and trends since the advent of democracy. In general, poverty increased until the end of the 1990s, before a downward trend took place. Despite the robust findings on the trends, poverty levels differed because of various reasons, ranging from the use of different poverty lines across the studies, to the adoption of different approaches to collect the income and expenditure information, and the presence of a high proportion of households reporting zero or unspecified income. This article aims to fill the existing research gap by explaining the possible factors accounting for the contrasting poverty levels across the eight commonly used South African censuses and household surveys between 1993 and 2012.
Requirement for the integrity of the viral genome for the induction of host DNA synthesis by polyoma virus.

It has been demonstrated that infection by polyoma virus of contact-in.hibited mouse kidney cell cultures leads to the induction of cellular in addition to viral DNA synthesis.1-3 In this system, polyoma virus replicates with a relatively high efficiency.4 However, more cellular DNA than viral DNA appears to be made in. the cultures.1' 2 The experimnental conditions used by the authors'-3 who first described the phenomenon were such that only part of the cell population underwent productive infection. Therefore, the question of whether the induction of cell DNA synthesis takes place in the cells in which the virus multiplies, in a larger fraction of the population, or only in the cells which do not produce virus, remained unaniswered. In the following paper, experiments will be described which demonstrate that the induction of host DNA synthesis occurs in the same cells in which polyoma virus replicates. In view of the possible correlati-on1 between this phenomenon and the ability of polyoma virus to transformn normal cells into malignant, we have also tested whether the radiation target size of the DNA-inducing ability of polyoma was similar to that of its transforming ability.5' 6 It was found that this function of polyoma virus is inactivated at the same rate as plaque-forming ability, suggesting that the integrity of the viral genome is required for the induction of cellular DNA synthesis.
Air Pollution and Daily Mortality in Amsterdam

&NA; Few data are available on the association between the present low levels of air pollution in Western Europe and mortality. Daily mortality counts and the concentrations of black smoke, inhalable particles (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O3) were available for Amsterdam from 1986 to 1992. We used Poisson regression analysis to control for seasonal and other long‐term temporal patterns. Black smoke and PM10 were positively associated with increased risk of mortality. The relative risk for a 100‐&mgr;g per m3 increase in black smoke on the same day was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02–1.38], and that for a 100‐μg per m3 increase in PM10 was 1.06 (95% CI = 0.99–1.14). The relative risk for individuals over 64 years of age was higher. We found no consistent association between the levels of SO2 or CO and daily mortality, but ozone lagged 2 days was positively associated with daily mortality. The effect of particulates on acute mortality was independent of these pollutants. The results of the present study are consistent with the relation reported between particulate air pollution and daily mortality in other communities in Europe and the United States.
Onset of Natural Convection and Transition Laminar-Oscillatory Convection Flow in Rayleigh-Bénard Configuration

A numerical study of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a rectangular cavity has been presented. The onset of natural convection and the transition from laminar to oscillatory convection were considered in this study. The finite volume method was used to solve numerically the governing equations of the phenomenon and the pressure-velocity coupling was matched by SIMPLER Algorithm of Patankar. This study was carried out for Rayleigh number varied from 103 to 106 in order to control the first value of critical Rayleigh number, Rac-1 corresponding the onset of convection, and that for different aspect ratios of the cavity. The threshold transition regime of laminar-oscillatory convection is depicted by the second critical Rayleigh number Rac-2. Also, the different modes of bifurcation of convection were determined and discussed.
Efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab with panretinal photocoagulation followed by trabeculectomy compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in neovascular glaucoma.

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) with panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) followed by trabeculectomy compared with Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS This was a retrospective comparative study. We reviewed the cases of a total of 45 eyes from 45 NVG patients among which 23 eyes underwent AGV implantation and the other 22 underwent trabeculectomy. The causes of neovascular glaucoma included: diabetic retinopathy (25 eyes), and retinal vein occlusion (20 eyes). All patients received preoperative IVR combined with postoperative PRP. The mean best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were converted to the logarithms of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) for the statisitical analyses. Intraocular pressure (IOP), the logMAR BCVA and surgical complications were evaluated before and after surgery. The follow-up period was 12mo. RESULTS A total of 39 cases showed complete regression of iris neovascularization at 7d after injection, and 6 cases showed a small amount of residual iris neovascularization. The success rates were 81.8% and 82.6% at 12mo after trabeculectomy and AGV implantation, respectively. In the trabeculectomy group, the logMAR BCVA improved at the last follow-up in 14 eyes, remained stable in 6 eyes and decreased in 2 eyes. In 4 cases, slight hyphemas developed after trabeculectomy. A shallow anterior chamber developed in 2 cases and 2 vitreous hemorrhages. In the AGV group, the logMAR BCVA improved in 14 eyes, remained stable in 5 eyes and decreased in 4 eyes. Slight hyphemas developed in 3 cases, and a shallow anterior chamber in 3 cases. The mean postoperative IOP was significantly lower in both groups after surgery (F=545.468, P<0.05), and the mean postoperative logMAR BCVA was also significantly improved (F=10.964, P<0.05) with no significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSION It is safe and effective to treat NVG with this combined procedure, and we found similar results after IVR+AGV implantation+PRP and IVR+trabeculectomy+PRP in eyes with NVG.
Water as an investment: liquid yet illiquid!

Abstract The water industry is in great need of further large investments to address existing severe water shortages worldwide which requires the participation of private sector investors. This industry is heavily infrastructure based and is therefore saddled with fixed assets-in-place or illiquid assets. This exposes the industry to what is termed as ‘illiquidity risk’, and hence, investors in this industry should be compensated for bearing this risk with an appropriate return premium (i.e. extra return). In this study, we provide evidence as to whether illiquidity risk indeed significantly affects returns in this industry. We examine the case of all 76 firms that compose the five major global water indices. After controlling for other factors that impact on returns, our results suggest that asset illiquidity is positively associated with stock returns. Specifically, water firms with a larger proportion of illiquid assets-in-place are observed to have greater stock returns than those with a smaller proportion of illiquid assets. Our results have important implications for the financing of water-related projects particularly those which involve the participation of investors from the private sector.
Evaluation of Cutaneous Drug Reactions in Patients Visiting Out Patient Departments of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMC and H), Nagpur

Objectives: To detect cutaneous drug reactions through spontaneous reporting system in IGGMCand H, Nagpur and analyze them using standard assessment scales. Materials and Methods: An observational, prospective study was performed in patients attending dermatology OPD of IGGMC and H, Nagpur from 1st June 05 to 31st May 09. Patients were examined for cutaneous drug reactions (CDRs) by spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction reporting system. Results: Among 2693 total ADRs reported, 872 (33.04%) were CDRs. Antimicrobials (55.5%) were the main drugs involved followed by NSAIDs (18.56%) and steroids (12.61%). Maculopapular rash (37.73%) followed by fixed drug eruption (17.2%) and urticaria (14.56%) were the most frequently observed CDRs. The common drugs causing CDRs were cotrimoxazole (20.41%), topical steroids (betamethasone), ibuprofen (7.91%), ampicillin (6.54%), diclofenac (4.7%) and iron dextran (3.44%). Conclusion: It was observed that commonly used drugs like antibiotics and NSAIDs lead to maximum number of CDRs. Hence strict vigilance is required while using them. This study provides a database of ADRs due to common drugs, which will help clinicians in safe use of these drugs.
Neurocognitive Deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With and Without Comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Objective: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is highly prevalent in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and may account for inconsistencies in findings on neurocognitive functioning in ADHD. Our aim was to assess cool and hot executive functioning (EF) and temporal processing in ADHD with and without comorbid ODD to elucidate the effects of comorbid ODD. Method: ADHD-only (n = 82), ADHD + ODD (n = 82), and controls (n = 82), with mean age 16 years (SD = 3.1), matched for age, gender, IQ, and ADHD type (clinical groups) were assessed on cool EF (inhibition, working memory), hot EF (reinforcement processing, emotion recognition), and temporal processing (time production and reproduction). Results: Individuals with ADHD + ODD showed abnormalities in inhibition, working memory, facial emotion recognition, and temporal processing, whereas individuals with ADHD-only were solely impaired in working memory and time production. Conclusion: Findings suggest that ODD carries a substantial part of the EF deficits observed in ADHD and contrast with current theories of neurocognitive impairments in ADHD.
An Examination of Seven Sociopolitical Factors and Their Connection with State Environmental Expenditures

State environmental agencies serve as first-responders during and after environmental disasters (man-made or natural), track and identify individuals and businesses that violate anti-pollution statutes, and function as scientific and data-gathering centers for policy makers. The robustness of a state environmental agency’s budget also can be a measure of a state’s environmental commitment. An understanding of the funding dynamics associated with establishing a state’s environmental agency budget is a complex political ballet with often mysterious and competing forces influencing the financial choreography. This paper analyzes possible political and cultural influences on budgetary outcomes in an attempt to identify those common, underlying, non-econometric factors that may drive or significantly contribute to state environmental agency funding. Those described here include, for 49 states (exclusive of Hawaii) between 2000 and 2009, total state expenditures, per capita income, educational attainment, agency staffing, environmental quality as measured through impaired waters, citizen ideology, and state agency performance. A Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient is used to compare state environmental expenditures to these seven data sets. Those states showing the biggest change (positive or negative) in annual environmental agency budgets also have the strongest correlation (positive or negative) with the total number of independent variables. This relationship implies that changes to sociopolitical factors may sway or have an influence on state environmental agency funding. As the number of correlations increase, their effect on agency funding may become more pronounced. This suggests a “critical mass” type relationship. Alternatively, as more sociopolitical factors combine to compel either increases or decreases in environmental agency funding, legislative priorities might be re-organized to accommodate that pressure with funding levels adjusted accordingly. The confluence of these special interests, either positively or negatively, may force environmental agency funding levels to overcome or shed local suppressive or masking effects (political scandals, policy distractions, etc.) to more closely reflect constituent demands and concerns.
Invariant features of spatial summation with changing locus in the visual field

1. Spatial summation curves have been determined under photopic conditions for loci between 5 and 55° from fixation. At each locus the area and Weber fraction for the largest stimulus showing complete summation (Sc) has been estimated. While the area of Sc increases progressively towards the periphery, its Weber fraction remains constant.
Investor Overreaction to Technical Insolvencyand Bankruptcy Risks in the 2008Stock Market Crash

Thaler and De Bondt [1985] demonstrate that investors may overreact to economic events. Studying investor overreaction to economic events has been a popular research topic in finance. However, investor overreaction to certain firm characteristics during economic events has not received sufficient attention. In this article, we study investor overreaction to firm technical insolvency and bankruptcy risks in the 2008 stock market crash. We demonstrate that firms with high technical insolvency and bankruptcy risks lost more value relative to other firms in the 2008 crash. However, these firms gained more value relative to other firms in the post-crash market reversal, implying that investors overreacted to technical insolvency and bankruptcy risks in the 2008 crash. Although firms with a high bankruptcy risk also lost more value in the 1987 stock market crash, these firms did not gain more value relative to other firms in the post-crash market reversal, implying that there was no investor overreaction to bankruptcy risk in the 1987 crash.
Some extensions of a new method to analyze complete stability of neural networks

In a recent work, a new method has been introduced to analyze complete stability of the standard symmetric cellular neural networks (CNNs), which are characterized by local interconnections and neuron activations modeled by a three-segment piecewise-linear (PWL) function. By complete stability it is meant that each trajectory of the neural network converges toward an equilibrium point. The goal of this paper is to extend that method in order to address complete stability of the much wider class of symmetric neural networks with an additive interconnecting structure where the neuron activations are general PWL functions with an arbitrary number of straight segments. The main result obtained is that complete stability holds for any choice of the parameters within the class of symmetric additive neural networks with PWL neuron activations, i.e., such a class of neural networks enjoys the important property of absolute stability of global pattern formation. It is worth pointing out that complete stability is proved for generic situations where the neural network has finitely many (isolated) equilibrium points, as well as for degenerate situations where there are infinite (nonisolated) equilibrium points. The extension in this paper is of practical importance since it includes neural networks useful to solve significant signal processing tasks (e.g., neural networks with multilevel neuron activations). It is of theoretical interest too, due to the possibility of approximating any continuous function (e.g., a sigmoidal function), using PWL functions. The results in this paper confirm the advantages of the method of Forti and Tesi, with respect to LaSalle approach, to address complete stability of PWL neural networks.
Science Teaching in Texas: Investigating Relationships among Texas High School Science Teachers' Working Conditions, Job Satisfaction, and Retention

Science Teaching in Texas: Investigating Relationships among Texas High School Science Teachers’ Working Conditions, Job Satisfaction, and Retention. (December 2011) Victoria Marlene Hollas, B.A., Houston Baptist University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Carol L. Stuessy In many critical subject areas our schools are facing a need for teachers, particularly in the "high-need" areas of mathematics, science, and bilingual education. Educators and researchers alike have identified teacher turnover as a major contributor to the challenge of finding and keeping highly-qualified teachers in American classrooms. The purpose of the three studies in this dissertation was to investigate the potential role of working conditions in explaining the turnover rates of high school science teachers. I used data collected by the Policy Research Initiative in Science Education (PRISE) Research Group during the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years, from their random, stratified sample of 50 Texas high schools and their 385 science teachers. The first study focuses on the development of a rubric assessing individual science teachers' working conditions, which involved the examination of multiple data sources, including school master schedules and AEIS reports to determine the working conditions of 385 science teachers. Analyses from this study suggested that (a) science teachers
Avascular necrosis of the femoral head in sickle cell disease in Nigeria: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Avascular necrosis (AVN) especially of the femoral head, has long been recognised as a manifestation of sickle cell disease (SCD). Despite this knowledge the actual prevalence of this complication among sickle cell patients in Nigeria is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and patterns of presentation of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in sickle cell disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study carried out at the Orthopaedic and Haematology clinics of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Four hundred and sixteen patients with sickle cell disease seen over a 15-year period. RESULTS Of the 416 patients with sickle cell disease 340 (81.7%) had haemoglobin SS genotype while 76(18.3%) had SC genotype. Sixty-six (15.9%) patients 35 males (53%) and 31 females (47%) had clinical and radiologic features of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. Fifty-three of them (80.3%) had Hb SS while 13 had Hb SC. The peak age incidence in both Hb SS and Hb SC was 21-30 years. Forty patients (60.6%) presented with stage IV disease (Ficat and Arlet Staging) while 21.2% had stage III and 18.2% had stage II. No patient was diagnosed in stage 1 or 0. CONCLUSION The prevalence of AVN of femoral head in Hb SC and HbSS is similar i.e. the difference is not statistically significant (P=0.48). Most of our patients present late with advanced diseases. Considering the paucity of facilities available for total hip replacement in Nigeria and the young age group affected we recommend regular screening of patients with sickle cell disorder for AVN and regular community educational programmes for early diagnosis.