Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality in psychiatric patients 5 to 21 years after hospital admission in Italy

Background. Mental disorders have an increased mortality risk. However, most data have been provided by few countries, some mental disorders have received little attention, long-term studies of large samples are scarce, and insufficient control for confounding variables has lead to artefactual inconsistencies across studies. The aims of this study were: to quantify the mortality risk in psychiatric patients 5 to 21 years after hospital admission and to investigate temporal trends in mortality risk and predictive factors associated with mortality. Method. All patients admitted to an in-patient psychiatric unit in Italy between 1978 and 1994 were included and vital status and death causes were determined up to 21 years after admission. The observed number of deaths in the sample was compared with the expected number of deaths in the general population. Cox proportional hazard models were fitted to identify predictors of mortality. Results. Mortality from natural and unnatural causes was higher than expected across all mental disorders. Standardized mortality risk was higher in males (SMR = 4·55; 95% CI 4·17–4·97) than in females (SMR = 3·43; 95% CI 3·07–3·83). Individuals aged less than 40 years were at higher risk in both sexes. The first several years following admission were characterized by a faster decline in survival. Several demographic and clinical factors were predictors of mortality. Conclusions. Mortality is high in individuals with mental disorders. Prevention of unnatural death causes is an important goal though insufficient to abate excess mortality, since natural death causes account for it to a larger extent.
Patient satisfaction with day surgery.

OBJECTIVE To assess patient satisfaction with day surgery facilities in New South Wales public hospitals. METHOD One hundred and fifty patients from each of 8 day surgery units were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire to assess satisfaction with their day surgery experience, including details on their admission, care and postoperative course. The questionnaire responses were anonymous and there was no follow-up of non-respondents. RESULTS The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 37.3%. There was considerable variation in response rates across hospitals, ranging from a low of 14.7% to a high of 52.7%. Three procedures accounted for 55% of responses: endoscopies of the gastrointestinal tract (21.7%), gynaecological procedures (18.3%) and eye procedures (16.3%). Day surgery was generally well accepted. Of all the respondents, 78.4% would recommend day surgery to others and 94.2% would recommend the day surgery unit that they used. Respondents found their day surgery experience to be as they had expected or less worrying than expected in 87.0% of cases. The proportion requiring hospital readmission in the seven day postoperative period was 2.7%. The survey showed that the units operated quite differently in two aspects of day surgery provision: the scheduling of patient admissions; and post-discharge contact with patients to check on their recovery.
Histopathology of Tissue Samples Removed Using the Microdebrider Technique: Implications for Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Microdebriders are being used with increasing frequency in endoscopic sinus surgery to provide precise removal of soft tissue and bone with simultaneous suction and irrigation. To date, no one has analyzed whether histopathology of tissue processed through a microdebrider is maintained. Fifteen tissue samples (squamous cell cancer, esthesioneuroblastoma, lymphoma, sarcoma, inverted papilloma, benign thyroid, and nasal mucosa) were processed though a microdebrider in various modes and speeds. Pathology slides were developed, coded, and presented as unknowns to the pathologist for diagnosis. Specimens taken from routine biopsy techniques were then compared to those passed through the microdebrider. The study found no significant loss of morphologic features in the tissue passed through the microdebrider. The microdebrider may be used for both routine and oncologic procedures without altering the histopathology necessary for diagnosis.
Community action and the test of time: learning from community experiences and perceptions. Case studies of mobilization and capacity building to benefit vulnerable children in Malawi and Zambia.

The case study review aimed to identify lessons learned from community experiences and perceptions and to share these with a wide audience of policymakers and program designers. To test DCOFs original assumption that community mobilization can lead to long-term and selfsustaining activities the consultants developed four hypotheses: 1. The mobilization processes in the Malawi and Zambia were effective in catalyzing genuine "ownership"-the sense among those involved that the problems identified are theirs and that they hold primary responsibility for addressing them. Ownership in turn generated high levels of participation within the wider community. 2. Community-led action occurred because of genuine ownership. 3. Where community ownership was present committees were able to sustain activities to benefit especially vulnerable children. 4. Through ownership of decision-making and action processes communities could ensure that vulnerable children benefit from the support they mobilize internally or access externally. The case study examined community groups in Malawi and Zambia most of which been functioning for eight to 10 years. The review team used a qualitative approach-based on focus group discussions and Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) tools-to understand community members issues as opposed to the researchers constructs of their issues. For example the team used PLA tools such as simple ranking exercises and Venn diagrams to understand the relative importance of issues regarding committee strength and which organizations were most important to the community. (excerpt)
Sequential implantation of two helex septal occluder devices in a patient with complex atrial septal anatomy

We report the first implantation of two Helex septal occluder devices in a 10‐year‐old boy with complex atrial septal anatomy. The unique characteristics of this new device are discussed in the following case report. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:242–246. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Style and Content of CT and MR Imaging Lumbar Spine Reports: Radiologist and Clinician Preferences

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Several studies have examined clinician preferences regarding the style of body sonography and CT reports. Our study is the first to examine clinicians' and radiologists' preferences in lumbar spine CT and MR imaging reports with respect to content and format and specific components such as management suggestions by the radiologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A spine report survey, which consisted of 3 case scenarios, each with 6 different reports varying in content and format, was mailed to clinicians and radiologists. Their preferences regarding content, format, and management suggestions were gathered. RESULTS: A total of 89 clinicians (49%) and 31 radiologists (53%) responded. Both clinicians and radiologists preferred reports with moderate or detailed instead of limited content (P < .01). Itemized and prose formats were equally acceptable to clinicians and radiologists. Although both groups identified moderate CT technique description as ideal, more clinicians valued the inclusion of the quality of a CT study (P < .001). Specialists preferred reports with greater detail but no recommendations, whereas family physicians preferred less detail but wanted specific management suggestions (P < .01). Neuroradiologists (75%–100%) were more likely to provide management suggestions than non-neuroradiologists (23%–59%). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians favored lumbar spine CT and MR imaging reports with detailed content in either itemized or structured prose formats, irrespective of the modality or the extent of abnormalities reported. Family physicians preferred management suggestions from the radiologists. Specialists, however, preferred a review of the radiologic findings and an opinion without specific recommendations. To optimize patient care, radiologists should be mindful of these preferences and consider tailoring their reports to their audiences.
Testing the Tax-Loss Selling Explanation of the January Effect: Evidence from a 'Confiscatory' Tax Implemented in France in 1921

For almost a century, we document a significant January effect on the French equity market. We find strong evidences in favor of the tax-loss selling explanation for this phenomenon. Indeed, the January effect was insignificant before the introduction of a “confiscatory tax” on capital gains in 1921, and became strongly significant afterward. Moreover, the rate of taxation is statistically significant to explain the strength of the January effect over time. Studying individual stock returns, a DiffInDiff investigation shows that past losers, outperform past winners at the turn of the year but only after 1921, which reinforces further the tax-loss selling explanation of the January effect.
Aging mesenchymal stem cells fail to protect because of impaired migration and antiinflammatory response.

RATIONALE Aging is characterized by functional impairment and reduced capacity to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli and injury. With age, there is an increase in the incidence and severity of chronic and acute lung diseases. However, the relationship between age and the lung's reduced ability to repair is far from established and necessitates further research in the field. OBJECTIVES Little is currently known about age-related phenomena in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). On account of their ability to protect the endothelium and the alveolar epithelium through multiple paracrine mechanisms, we looked for adverse effects that aging might cause in MSC biology. Such age-related changes might partly account for the increased susceptibility of the aging lung to injury. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We demonstrated that old mice have more inflammation in response to acute lung injury. To investigate the causes, we compared the global gene expression of aged and young bone marrow-derived MSCs (B-MSCs). Our results revealed that the expression levels of inflammatory response genes depended on the age of the B-MSCs. We demonstrated that the age-dependent decrease in expression of several cytokine and chemokine receptors is important for the migration and activation of B-MSCs. Finally, we showed by adoptive transfer of aged B-MSCs to young endotoxemic mice that aged cells lacked the antiinflammatory protective effect of their young counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the decreased expression of cytokine and chemokine receptors in aged B-MSCs compromises their protective role by perturbing the potential of B-MSCs to become activated and mobilize to the site of injury.
New Age of Fishes initiated by the Cretaceous−Paleogene mass extinction

Significance Ray-finned fishes are the most diverse and ecologically dominant group of vertebrates on the planet. Previous molecular phylogenies and paleontological studies have shown that modern ray-finned fishes (crown teleosts) radiated sometime in the Late Cretaceous or early Paleogene. Our data suggest that crown teleosts came into their current dominant ecological role in pelagic ecosystems immediately following the Cretaceous−Paleogene mass extinction 66 million years ago by filling newly vacated ecological niches and marking the beginning of an “age of ray-finned fishes. ” Our study is, to our knowledge, the first geographically comprehensive, high-resolution study of marine vertebrate communities across the extinction. Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) comprise nearly half of all modern vertebrate diversity, and are an ecologically and numerically dominant megafauna in most aquatic environments. Crown teleost fishes diversified relatively recently, during the Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene, although the exact timing and cause of their radiation and rise to ecological dominance is poorly constrained. Here we use microfossil teeth and shark dermal scales (ichthyoliths) preserved in deep-sea sediments to study the changes in the pelagic fish community in the latest Cretaceous and early Paleogene. We find that the Cretaceous−Paleogene (K/Pg) extinction event marked a profound change in the structure of ichthyolith communities around the globe: Whereas shark denticles outnumber ray-finned fish teeth in Cretaceous deep-sea sediments around the world, there is a dramatic increase in the proportion of ray-finned fish teeth to shark denticles in the Paleocene. There is also an increase in size and numerical abundance of ray-finned fish teeth at the boundary. These changes are sustained through at least the first 24 million years of the Cenozoic. This new fish community structure began at the K/Pg mass extinction, suggesting the extinction event played an important role in initiating the modern “age of fishes. ”
Decentralization in Thailand

While close to 8,000 local bodies operate in provinces, municipalities, and sub-districts, Thailand is a highly centralized state. This is largely due to control over provincial and district level governments by the powerful Ministry of Interior (MoI). In the late 1990s, substantial political and fiscal decentralization reforms were introduced. In particular, the 1999 Decentralization Plan and Procedures Act called for the establishment of a National Decentralization Committee and the formulation of a Decentralization Master Plan. However, with civil society and political parties generally weak, political and policy processes have often been dominated by actors who mistrust decentralization processes. Due to this, the administrative structure overseen by the central MoI has remained in place and become intertwined with the strengthened institutions of political decentralization. While they may seem to be opposed to each other, it is possible that these two distinct systems of accountability may complement, rather than compete, with each other.
High knee valgus in female subjects does not yield higher knee translations during drop landings: A biplane fluoroscopic study

The goal of this study was to determine the effects of peak knee valgus angle and peak knee abductor moment on the anterior, medial, and lateral tibial translations (ATT, MTT, LTT) in the “at risk” female knee during drop landing. Fifteen female subjects performed drop landings from 40 cm. Three‐dimension knee motion was simultaneously recorded using a high speed, biplane fluoroscopy system, and a video‐based motion analysis system. Valgus knee angles and knee abduction moments were stratified into low, intermediate, and high groups and peak ATT, MTT, and LTT were compared between these groups with ANOVA (α = 0.05). Significant differences were observed between stratified groups in peak knee valgus angle (p < 0.0001) and peak knee abduction moment (p < 0.0001). However, no corresponding differences in peak ATT, LTT, and MTT between groups exhibiting low to high‐peak knee valgus angles (ATT: p = 0.80; LTT: p = 0.25; MTT: p = 0.72); or, in peak ATT (p = 0.61), LTT (p = 0.26) and MTT (p = 0.96) translations when stratified according to low to high knee abduction moments, were found. We conclude that the healthy female knee is tightly regulated with regard to translations even when motion analysis derived knee valgus angles and abduction moments are high. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 257–267, 2013
Identity, procedures and performance: how authoritarian regimes legitimize their rule

ABSTRACT Constructing convincing legitimacy claims is important for securing the stability of authoritarian regimes. However, extant research has struggled to systematically analyse how authoritarians substantiate their right to rule. We analyse a novel data set on authoritarian regimes’ claims to legitimacy that is based on leading country experts’ assessments of 98 states for the period 1991–2010. This analysis provides key new insights into the inner workings and legitimation strategies of current non-democratic regimes. Closed authoritarian regimes predominately rely on identity-based legitimacy claims (foundational myth, ideology and personalism). In contrast, elections fundamentally change how authoritarian rulers relate to society. In their legitimacy claims, electoral authoritarian regimes focus on their ‘adequate’ procedures, thereby mimicking democracies. All regimes also stress their purported success in proving material welfare and security to their citizens.
Impaired Financing Determinants of Islamic Banks in Malaysia

Despite commendable growth of Islamic banking on a macro level, impaired financing is an issue among Islamic banks at the micro level. The 2008 Global Financial Crisis shows large credit risk was largely attributable to staff inefficiency. This study investigates the moderating effect of staff efficiency on determinants of credit risk or impaired financing of sixteen Islamic banks in Malaysia over the 2005-2013 periods. The determinants include new variables such as political stability index and corruption index besides GDP, inflation, finance to deposit, loan loss provisions, liquidity, capital, net interest margin, profitability, loan growth and net charge offs. The study highlights new findings where impaired financing reduced with higher political stability index and corruption index. Loan loss provision has significant positive whilst loan growth has negative impact on impaired financing. Staff efficiency significantly moderates the impaired financing relationship with capital ratio, profitability and loan growth. This relationship yields model fit of 0.889. The results support Resourced - based Theory and provide statistical evidence of the importance of staff efficiency in managing banks’ credit risk. None of the external factors had significant influence on impaired financing, which statistically proved that the profit and loss sharing concept of Islamic banking provides effective tool to mitigate external risks.
Semantic Category Fluency Versus Initial Letter Fluency Over 60 Seconds as a Measure of Automatic and Controlled Processing in Healthy School-aged Children

Verbal fluency was operationalized as the number of words produced in a restricted category (i.e., semantic category [SCF] and words beginning with a given letter [ILF]) in 60 seconds. Word production in the first 15 seconds of either type of fluency task was defined as a measure of automatic information processing, whereas word production in the remaining 45 seconds (in 15-second periods) was taken as a measure of controlled information processing. Data revealed that over 60 seconds healthy children aged 8.4–9.7 years (n = 91) produced significantly more words and less incorrect responses on the SCF task than on the ILF task. Although word production was a function of both type of task and time, it was highest in the initial time slice of either type of fluency and decreased as time on task increased. Finally, no sex differences were found for any measure of performance on either type of fluency task. In contrast, the level of occupational achievement of the caregiver (LOA) appeared to be a determinant of the child’s performance on either type of fluency task, indicating that LOA affects higher-order processes, such as the automation of newly learned verbal skills and effortful processing.
Rosiglitazone Treatment Prevents Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mutant Huntingtin-expressing Cells

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a member of the PPAR family of transcription factors. Synthetic PPARγ agonists are used as oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, emerging evidence indicates that PPARγ activators can also prevent or attenuate neurodegeneration. Given these previous findings, the focus of this report is on the potential neuroprotective role of PPARγ activation in preventing the loss of mitochondrial function in Huntington disease (HD). For these studies we used striatal cells that express wild-type (STHdhQ7/Q7) or mutant (STHdhQ111/Q111) huntingtin protein at physiological levels. Treatment of mutant cells with thapsigargin resulted in a significant decrease in mitochondrial calcium uptake, an increase in reactive oxygen species production, and a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. PPARγ activation by rosiglitazone prevented the mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress that occurred when mutant striatal cells were challenged with pathological increases in calcium. The beneficial effects of rosiglitazone were likely mediated by activation of PPARγ, as all protective effects were prevented by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. Additionally, the PPARγ signaling pathway was significantly impaired in the mutant striatal cells with decreases in PPARγ expression and reduced PPARγ transcriptional activity. Treatment with rosiglitazone increased mitochondrial mass levels, suggesting a role for the PPARγ pathway in mitochondrial function in striatal cells. Altogether, this evidence indicates that PPARγ activation by rosiglitazone attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction in mutant huntingtin-expressing striatal cells, and this could be an important therapeutic avenue to ameliorate the mitochondrial dysfunction that occurs in HD.
Experts’ tools, altruists, and job-seekers: visions of community health workers in Ethiopia’s antiretroviral centre of excellence

This article reports on research conducted during 2007–2008 within an antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in Addis Ababa, run as a partnership between NGOs, government health officials, and international donors. Through examination of the discourses of professionals in NGO and government sectors, and of the community health workers (CHWs) who delivered ART support and home-based care, I show how a policy of volunteerism worked on the ground, through complex interactions that generated targeted success: thousands of new patients getting on and adhering to free ART, and living longer. CHWs were variously treated by these other actors as human resources to be managed, as heroic and altruistic volunteers, and as potentially self-interested. CHWs behaved as altruistic and self-sacrificing volunteers, yet also attempted to assert – individually and collectively – their desires to gain employment in order to better themselves and their communities. Much of the growing body of research on CHWs studies down, adopting a human resources mentality and collecting data from CHWs, to help identify policies by which health systems might more cost-effectively use CHWs in the production of better population health. Rather than a critique of this mentality, the research presented here represents a shift to studying both up and down structures of CHW programme implementation and governance, to help understand the varied ways in which CHW programmes in Africa today work, and how CHWs’ interests and power over their job conditions and social policies will evolve.