Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intensification characteristics of hydroclimatic extremes in the Asia monsoon region under 1.5 and 2.0 °C of global warming

Abstract. The changes in hydroclimatic extremes are assessed over the Asia monsoon region under 1.5 and 2.0 °C warming targets of global mean temperature above preindustrial levels based on a representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario. The subregions in this domain are defined by the Koppen climate classification method to identify regional climate characteristics. The change patterns of long-term hydroclimatic mean and hydroclimatic extreme among subregions are compared based on the multimodel ensemble (MME) of selected five global climate models (GCMs). Each GCM is bias corrected and then used as a meteorological forcing for a hydrological model. To simulate how the hydrologic system responds to 1.5 and 2.0 °C global warming targets, we select the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model. The results of temperature extremes show significant change patterns over all climate zones. As the globe warms, the increasing warm extremes and the decreasing cold extremes with a high robustness occur more frequently over Asia. Meanwhile, changes in precipitation and runoff averages (and low runoff extremes) show large spatial variations in change patterns with little robustness based on intermodel agreement. Global warming is expected to significantly intensify maximum precipitation extremes in all climate zones. Regardless of regional climate characteristics, this behavior is expected to be enhanced under 2.0 °C compare to 1.5 °C warming scenario and cause the likelihood of flood risk. The spatial extent and magnitude of change patterns in runoff are modulated by those of change patterns in precipitation. More importantly, an extra 0.5 °C of global warming also leads to amplified change signals and more robust change patterns in hydroclimatic extremes, especially in cold (and polar) climate zones. The results of this study demonstrate that the clear changes in regional hydroclimatic extremes under warmer conditions over Asia, and hydroclimatic sensitivities differ based on regional climate characteristics.
Impact of Company Specific Factors on the Extent of Corporate Social Disclosure in India

: The paper examines and analyses the impact of five company-specific factors on the extent of voluntary social disclosure in annual reports of 65 manufacturing companies listed in Bombay Stock Exchange. Our study reveals that average level of corporate social disclosure is very low with a considerable variation among sample companies. While mean disclosure score is 20%, the range and standard deviation are 67% and 14% respectively. Using multiple linear regression, it has been observed that out of five company-specific factors, company size, nature of industry and government ownership have significant positive impact on the extent of overall social disclosure in India. However, profitability and dominance of independent directors on corporate board is found to have no significant impact on such disclosure.
Denoising of Computed Tomography Scans

ADMM Denoising was computed with three priors (TV, NLM, and BM3D) for three types of CT images (brain, lungs, and abdomen). For two noise types – Gaussian and Poisson - three noise parameters were used: for Gaussian, σ = 3, 5, 7 and for Poisson λ = 5, 10, 20. Results indicated that PSNR values ranged between ~20 dB and ~30 dB. In both cases, lower noise corresponded to higher PSNR and lower residual. Across all images, Poisson-denoising performed better than Gaussian-denoising. Moreover, the images with lungs had the greatest PSNRs compared to those of the brain and lungs. Additionally, NLM-prior denoising performed best compared to TV and BM3D priors.
Is a Decentralised Health Policy Associated With Better Self-rated Health and Health Services Evaluation? A Comparative Study of European Countries

Background: While decentralisation has come to be a major policy strategy in many healthcare systems, there is still insufficient evidence about its impact. Most studies have been of developing countries, and they have provided mixed results. This study is the first to test the relevance of political decentralisation across European countries, thus meeting the demand for more studies of decentralisation in developed countries, and building on an indicator of decentralisation reflecting the allocation of authority for both health policy tasks and health policy areas. Methods: As indicators of health system outcome, we employed 2 measures that have not previously been investigated in the context of decentralisation: self-rated health and satisfaction with healthcare system. Using multilevel modelling and controlling for individual-level demographic and socioeconomic variables, the paper utilised the 2014 (7th) and 2016 (8th) round of the European Social Survey (ESS), including more than 70 000 individuals from 20 countries. Results: The results suggest that decentralisation has a positive and significant association with health system satisfaction, but not with self-rated health. Of the different operationalisations, decentralised healthcare provision had the strongest association with health system satisfaction. Conclusions: Our study fails to provide clear support for decentralised health systems. There is a need for more research on the impact of such reforms in order to provide policy-makers with knowledge of desirable governance, organisational designs, management and incentives in healthcare.
Assessment of the Relationship between Tehran Women’s Quality of Life, Depression and Anxiety with Their Body Mass Index

The purpose of this study was to explore association between depression, anxiety and quality of life with body mass index in women 20-50 years in Tehran. Our sample was selected by quota sampling method that in the 22 regions of Tehran was divided in to five geographical areas: North, south, center, east and west. One region was selected randomly from each area . North (region 2), South (region 16), Center (region 6), East (region 13) and West (region 9). In the next step population 20-50 years old group and their ratio of each to the entire population of women in this age group were determined in all parts of Tehran. given the proportion of each region, the intended number of people for each region was specified. In the fifth step, because people’s distribution in terms of BMI groups varies in different regions and in order to use all groups in the study, a pilot test was first administered in 5 selected regions, and the relative frequency of each BMI group was determined. Then three questionnaires include Beck depression inventory, SF-36 quality of life inventory and Spielberger statetrait Anxiety inventory were performed. The results displayed increased values of body mass index in women increase their depression and decrease their quality of life. Extra analysis showed, there was significant different between mean scores of depression in obese persons and normal people also a significant difference was detected between obese women's quality of life scores with normal and underweight people. Also the results revealed that obese persons experience lower mood than other body mass index groups. There was significance different between body mass index and physical health dimension, but there was no difference in mental health dimension . The results of current study emphasis on essential of preventive programs for conflict with outcomes of women's obesity in psychological dimension.
Do banks influence stock crash risk? Evidence from banking deregulation

An extensive literature shows that managers’ withholding of bad news, an agency problem in corporate governance, plausibly causes stock price crashes. This literature, however, has not examined whether and how lending banks influence borrowing firms’ crash risk, despite banks’ advantageous role in corporate governance via their monitoring and funding functions. We fill this void in this study. To mitigate endogeneity, we exploit the staggered reforms in U.S. statelevel banking markets that gradually lift barriers for interstate branching. These deregulation events, which are exogenous to firms, represent historically important shocks to bank competition, and bank competition can fundamentally alter bank monitoring and funding behaviors. We find robust evidence that bank competition reduces firm crash risk, and the effect is stronger in scenarios in which bank monitoring and funding are likely to exert greater influences. Bank competition also mitigates abrupt divulgence of adverse information, suppresses earnings management, and improves reporting quality, which helps explain the decline in crash risk. JEL Codes: G19; G21; G28; G34
Environmental Justice in the Context of Urban Green Space Availability

Environmental justice is a term that includes both exposure to environmental ‘bads’ as well as access to environmental ‘goods’ which might be unequally experienced by different socio‑economic groups. In other words, environmental justice scholars study whether everybody can have an equal right to a healthy, nurturing environment which supports their development and well‑being. The environmental justice movement arose in response to the so‑called ‘environmental racism’ in the USA which affected communities of blue‑collar workers, people with lower income and of Afro‑American, Asian, Latin or native origins. Although initially environmental (in)justice was rooted in racial discrimination in the USA, nowadays it encompasses a wider range of issues, including problems at the local and global level, from degradation and pollution of natural resources to aspects related to spatial planning. Unequal access to environmental amenities – such as green spaces – was not the main focus of the discourse, however, it is gaining attention nowadays, especially in the context of urban environment. Urban green spaces influence health and well‑being of urban residents, but access to them can be uneven in terms of socio‑spatial heterogeneity. Growing challenges of living in cities, related to, among others, climate change, densification or sprawling of developments, urban heat islands, and other nuisances, require sustainable management of green spaces and provision of equal (socially just) access to benefits provided by these areas. Moreover, another important aspect of the discussion is linked to potentially beneficial planning decisions (e.g. increasing availability of urban green spaces) and their long‑term consequences, which may eventually lead to gentrification and increased social inequalities (environmental injustice). Complexity of the problem related to availability of green spaces in cities needs an interdisciplinary approach which combines ecological, spatial and socio‑economic aspects. The article reviews the current state‑of‑the‑art literature in the field of environmental justice, with particular emphasis on green space availability in the context of urban environment.
The Effect of Portfolio on Nursing Students’ Learning and Satisfaction from Clinical Evaluation

Background: Portfolio is a measurement tool that can document student learning, performance, and achievement of key objectives. In this study, the effect of the portfolio on nursing students’ learning and satisfaction in the field training course was assessed. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted among 60 nursing students using census sampling and randomized into the control and intervention group. The performance and satisfaction of the two groups has been tested with researcher-designed questionnaires. Construct validity was used to validate the satisfaction questionnaire. Nursing student’s knowledge and clinical competency were measured at the end of the intervention. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics through SPSS-22. Results: The mean (SD) of field training score in the case and control group was 18.23 (1.03) and 17.08 (1.05), respectively (P=0.000). Mean (SD) of student satisfaction from evaluation method was 55.07 (6.28) in cases versus 37.43 (11.20) in controls (P=0.000). The mean score of knowledge, application and analysis level questions in the portfolio group was significantly greater than the control group (P=0.033, P=0.000, respectively). No significant difference was seen in two group clinical competencies. The factor structure of the satisfaction survey scale was confirmed using exploratory factor analysis (P<0.000), which produced three factors (Justice, Regularity and organization and Continuity and feedback in the evaluation) and explained 83.8% of the total variance. Conclusion: Use of portfolio method increases nursing student’s competence and their participation in the learning process by increasing the level of students’ satisfaction from the evaluation method. Keywords: PORTFOLIO, EDUCATION, NURSING STUDENT, SATISFACTION, EVALUATION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS OF BROWN STREAK DISEASE ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN KISARAWE DISTRICT, COAST REGION, TANZANIA DERICK TIMOTHY SAMWEL A DISSERTATION SUBMITED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICSOFSO

Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) has been among major challenge to sustainable smallholder cassava production in Kisarawe District. A smallholder cassava farmer’s survey was conducted using personal interviews to determine the implication of CBSD on cassava production and income at smallholder farmer’s level in Kisarawe District. Data were collected using structured questionnaires in a cross-sectional survey involving 107 respondents in two selected wards and villages in Kisarawe District. Descriptive statistics were used to determine farmers’ opinions on the extent of infestation on farms. Cobb Douglas production model was used to determine the implication of CBSD and other variables on the cassava yield. Disease risk perception was measured using the likert scale on three point scale. In the study, experience and extension services, had negatively influenced cassava yield. Conversely, farm size, education, marital status, family size and sex positively influence the yield. Also marital status, extension services, farm size and sex had a positive influence on income. However, the study concluded that CBSD had significant negative implication on cassava yield as well as gross margins (GM). Thus, this study provides useful information about the implication of the CBSD on smallholder cassava production and on specific socioeconomic parameters that farmers, extensionists, researchers and policy makers can use in designing appropriate interventions towards mitigating the negative implication of CBSD on overall cassava productivity.
Insurance Consumption and Economic Growth in the Post-Liberalized India: An Empirical Analysis

The present study is aimed at exploring the relationship between insurance consumption and economic growth in India during 1990? 2016. Annual insurance penetration, insurance density, and per capita GDP have been used to study the relationship between insurance consumption and economic growth by employing the Johansen cointegration technique. A vector error correction model is applied to study the short-term and long-term relationship between the variables. A one-way causality originating from insurance penetration to economic growth is revealed in the long run. Similarly, insurance density also causes long-term economic growth. Insurance penetration leads to short-term economic growth in India. However, economic growth does not cause insurance penetration or density in the short run as well as in the long run. The results empirically establish the relationship between the insurance industry and economic growth in India post-liberalization. The results could help policymakers to focus on enhancing the insurance industry? s performance in India to achieve higher economic growth. The existing literature on how insurance consumption and economic growth are related is focused on developed economies. It ignores the non-life insurance segment of the industry and has not taken a long time period to get a complete picture of the interrelationship. This is a novel attempt to investigate the causal relation between economic growth and the insurance industry? s growth in post-liberalized India.
The Stock Market Reaction to Mergers and Acquisitions: Evidence from the Banking Industry

Abstract This paper focuses on the effect of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) announcements on the stocks of Latin American banks and their rivals between 2000 and 2019. We evaluate two impacts of M&A announcements: impacts on cumulative abnormal returns (CAR) and impacts on event-induced variance (EIV). We use the GARCH-based event-study method, finding that acquirers and target banks have a statistically significant CAR and that their rivals and targets are not affected by M&A announcements. We observe that EIV is negative for acquirers, targets, and rivals. Finally, in a robustness exercise, we estimate a multivariate GARCH model, finding that the results remain qualitatively equal.
A New Phase for the NATSAP PRN: Post-Discharge Reporting and Transition to Network Wide Utilization of the Y-OQ 2.0

The NATSAP Practice Research Network (PRN) was established in 2007 in order to develop a foundation of outcomes-based evidence for programs providing support to youth facing emotional and behavioral challenges (Young & Gass, 2008). The NATSAP PRN was seen as a costeffective tool to provide outcome data used to indicate the successes and shortcomings of NATSAP programs as an industry group. The outcomes were also accessible by individual programs, providing credible and confidential feedback on the effectiveness of that particular program relative to other programs. The NATSAP PRN has continued to establish support for the effectiveness of NATSAP programs in the past five years, but many questions still remain about the “true” outcomes achieved by these programs. As the PRN works towards helping to answer these questions regarding program effectiveness, the network seeks to demonstrate that the treatment models implemented by participating organizations may be considered evidenced-based practice (Young & Gass, 2010, Tucker, Zelov & Young, 2011).
High Sensitive C – Reactive Protein Level as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Diseases in Sudanese with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obese individuals

Background: There is evidence that support the use of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) to monitor cardiovascular risk in diabetic and non diabetic individuals. This study aims to assess hs-CRP level in Sudanese with type 2 diabetes mellitus (D.M) and obese individuals; as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khartoum-Sudan from April to December 2018, 50 diagnosed Sudanese patients with diabetes mellitus attending Alarbaeen hospital in Khartoum state and 50 obese Sudanese individuals were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were analyzed for cholesterol and hs-CRP levels using Mindray BS-200 automated analyzer. Results: There were no significant differences in hs-CRP and total cholesterol levels in type 2 D.M when compared with obese. Both diabetic patients and obese had high levels of hs-CRP and total cholesterol. hs-CRP and total cholesterol levels revealed no significant difference when male compared with female in type 2 D.M as well as in obese. The majority of the study participants were found to have hs-CRP level more than 3 mg/L, which indicate a high risk to have cardiovascular diseases according to American Heart Association. There was no correlation between hs-CRP levels and total cholesterol levels in the study subjects. Age showed inverse significant correlation with hs-CRP levels in type 2 D.M and no correlation among obese. In conclusion: The higher levels of hs-CRP with higher levels of total cholesterol may be a predictive factor for developing of CVD in Sudanese with type 2 D.M as well as in obese.
Tailored expectant management in unexplained infertility

Study question: How does the cost-effectiveness (CE) of immediate IVF compared with postponing IVF for 1 year, depend on prognostic characteristics of the couple? Summary answer: The CE ratio, i.e. the incremental costs of immediate versus delayed IVF per extra live birth, is the highest (range of €15 000 to >€60 000) for couples with unexplained infertility and for them depends strongly on female age and the duration of infertility, whilst being lowest for endometriosis (range €8 000-€23 000) and, for such patients, only slightly dependent on female age and duration of infertility. What is known already: A few countries have guidelines for indications of IVF, using the diagnostic category, female age and duration of infertility. The CE of these guidelines is unknown and the evidence base exists only for bilateral tubal occlusion, not for the other diagnostic categories. Study design, size, duration: A modelling approach was applied, based on the literature and data from a prospective cohort study among couples eligible for IVF or ICSI treatment, registered in a national waiting list in The Netherlands between January 2002 and December 2003. Participants/materials, setting, methods: A total of 5962 couples was included. Chances of natural ongoing pregnancy were estimated from the waiting list observations and chances of ongoing pregnancy after IVF from follow-up data of couples with primary infertility that began treatment. Prognostic characteristics considered were female age, duration of infertility, and diagnostic category. Costs of IVF were assessed from a societal perspective and determined on a representative sample of patients. A cost-effectiveness comparison was made between two scenarios: (I) wait one more year and then undergo IVF for 1 year and (II) immediate IVF during 1 year, and try to conceive naturally in the following year. Comparisons were made for strata determined by the prognostic factors. The final outcome was a live birth. Main results and the role of chance: The gain in live birth rate of the immediate IVF scenario versus postponed IVF increased with female age, and was independent from diagnostic category or duration of infertility. By contrast, the corresponding increase in costs primarily depended on diagnostic category and duration of infertility. The lowest CE ratio was just below €10 000 per live birth for endometriosis from age 34 onwards at 1 year duration. The highest CE ratio reached €56 000 per live birth for unexplained infertility at age 30 and 3 years duration, dropping to values below € 30 000 per live birth from age 32 onwards. It reached values below €20 000 per live birth with 3 years duration at age 34 and older. The CE ratio was in between for the three other diagnostic categories (i.e. Male infertility, Hormonal and Immunological/Cervical). Limitations, reasons for caution: We applied estimates of chances with IVF, excluding frozen embryos, for which we had no data. Therefore, we do not know the effect of frozen embryo transfers on the CE.