Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections Among Pregnant Women in Maiduguri, Nigeria

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody among 158 pregnant women attending the ante-natal clinic in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria was investigated. Sera from pregnant women were tested by ELISA for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibody. Of the 158 serum samples tested, 25 (15.8 %) and 4 (2.5 %) were positive for the presence of HBsAg and HCV antibody respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher (p<0.05) than HCV infection. No mixed infection with the two virus strains was observed among the pregnant women. In addition no age difference was noted in the prevalence of infections with both virus strains among the pregnant women. However, all the HCV and most of the HBsAg positive women belong to the child bearing age (20.39 years) who are matured and sexually active. The implication of hepatitis virus infections of pregnant women for foetus and offsprings are discussed from the epidemiological point of view. The need to develop rapid diagnostic assay for the detection of HBsAg and HCV as well as routine vaccination of offsprings of positive mothers are emphasised.
Love Consumption at the Digital Age: Online Consumer Reviews and Romantic Gift Giving

Abstract China is the biggest e-commerce market and a trend leader in the global marketplace. This study examined how different types of online consumer reviews (OCRs) and types of romantic gift-giving might affect Chinese consumers’ online purchase intention. Through an experiment design, the study suggested that informational online consumer reviews lead to more product involvement than transformational reviews; and consumers shopping romantic gifts for their significant other are more likely to have a higher product involvement level than those shopping for a romantic gift for the relationship. The study also found that product involvement serves as a full mediator, leading to consumers’ purchase intention. In addition, consumers with a higher need for uniqueness are more likely to use informational reviews for romantic gift shopping. Women showed more product involvement when they were exposed to informational reviews, while men had more involvement in transformational reviews. This exploratory study addressed a growing but under-researched consumer behavior issue. It provides insights for global marketing managers to enter the Chinese market and reflected on the new global trends of consumers’ romantic gift-giving in the increasingly connected digital market.
Can Higher Capital Discipline Bank Risk: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

Capital regulation has been among the most important tools for regulators to maintain the credibility and stability of the financial systems. However, the question whether higher capital induce banks to take lower risk remains unanswered. This paper examines the effect of capital on bank risk employing a meta-analysis approach, which considers a wide range of empirical papers from 1990 to 2018. We found that the negative effect of bank capital on bank risk, which implies the discipline role of bank capital, is more likely to be reported. However, the reported results are suffered from the publication bias due to the preference for significant estimates and favored results. Our study also shows that the differences in the previous studies’ conclusions are primarily caused by the differences in the study design, particularly the risk and capital measurements; the model specification such as the concern for the dynamic of bank risk behaviors, the endogeneity of the capital and unobserved time fixed effects; along with and the sample characteristics such as the sample size, and whether banks are bank holding companies or located in high-income countries.
Influence tactics, customer trust and buyer–supplier long-term relationships: evidence from B2B companies in an emerging economy

Influence tactics have been an important issue in the fields of management, organisational psychology and marketing research. This study aims to investigate the impact of influence tactics on customer trust, the link between customer trust and buyer–supplier long-term relationships and the mediating effect of customer trust between influence tactics and buyer–supplier long-term relationships. A structural equation model is used to test the hypotheses with a sample data of 306 purchasing managers from business to business (B2B) firms in Vietnam. Empirical results indicate a significant effect of influence tactics on customer trust. Information exchange, recommendations, promises, ingratiation and inspirational appeals tactics are found positively related to customer trust, except for threats tactic. Customer trust also has a positive influence on buyer–supplier long-term relationships. In addition, customer trust mediates the relationship between influence tactics and buyer–supplier long-term relationships. Findings provide important implications for academic researchers and business managers in the fields of influence tactics and relationship marketing.
Pre-parliamentary party career and political representation

Abstract Members of parliament are accountable to both their district and party. Consequently, they have to balance their responsiveness to these competing principals when their preferences diverge. Existing research on this representational dilemma focuses mostly on the role of political institutions, whereas this article offers a new individual-level explanation: pre-parliamentary party careers. Using sequence analysis, three ideal-typical pre-parliamentary career paths are identified: the party local, the party functionary, and the party civilian. The share of party locals increases over time at the expense of party civilians in the Danish parliament, and these party locals are more likely to diverge from the party’s position when it is unpopular among their constituents. These findings corroborate existing evidence of political professionalisation in parliamentary democracies, but they also suggest that professionalisation may be associated with a localisation of politics leading to more rather than less constituency representation.
A New Flexible Discrete Distribution: Theory and Empirical Evidence

A new discrete distribution with two parameters is introduced and discussed. We present its derivation after identifying the generator mechanism of the mass probability function. Then we show its flexibility in terms of dispersion index and show how to estimate the parameters by maximum likelihood. Finally, we compare it to traditional as well as flexible discrete distributions using some popular insurance datasets. The AIC and BIC criteria strongly suggest that the new distributions is able to provide a fit to discrete data in a very satisfactory way.
The Dark Sides of Virtue: Reassessing International Humanitarianism

Preface xi Acknowledgments xxvii PART I: The International Humanitarian as Advocate and Activist 1 Chapter One: The International Human Rights Movement: Part of the Problem? 3 Chapter Two: Spring Break: The Activist Individual 37 Chapter Three: Autumn Weekend: The Activist Community 85 PART II: The International Humanitarian as Policy Maker 109 Chapter Four: Humanitarian Policy Making: Pragmatism without Politics? 111 Chapter Five: The Rule of Law as a Strategy for Economic Development 149 Chapter Six: Bringing Market Democracy to Eastern and Central Europe 169 Chapter Seven: The International Protection of Refugees 199 Chapter Eight: Humanitarianism and Force 235 PART III: What International Humanitarianism Should Become 325 Chapter Nine: Humanitarian Power 327 Index 359
Factors influencing stress response avoidance behaviors following technological disasters: A case study of the 2008 TVA coal ash spill

ABSTRACT Building upon the growing body of empirical social science research examining psychosocial stress following natural, technological, and human-caused disasters, this article presents new research findings specifically regarding stress response avoidance behaviours. In this article, we present a conceptual model of factors contributing to such avoidance behaviours as measured by the Impact of Event Scale (IES) Avoidance subscale. We empirically test the model using data collected in the aftermath of the 2008 Tennessee Valley Authority coal ash spill in Roane County, Tennessee. Conceptually, the findings support some of what is known about how gender, age, socioeconomic status, event experience, risk perceptions, being a claimant, personal relationship disruption, and various types of resource loss influence psychosocial stress. In contrast to previous studies, however, our findings reveal that in the case of the TVA spill, community involvement is associated with higher levels of IES Avoidance behaviours. These findings have potential to inform community mental health needs following technological disasters. In particular, mental health professionals should be aware of the counter-intuitive findings related to community involvement and chronic stress response avoidance behaviours and seek ways to reconcile this issue.
A Reliability Comparison of Different Methods for Detecting Step Rate and Foot Strike Pattern in Runners Using Two-dimensional Video

Two-dimensional (2D) video is often used to evaluate running gait. Cost effective and clinically applicable methods have not been validated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity and agreement of methods used to determine step rate (SR) and foot strike pattern (FSP) during running using 2D video. We observed excellent agreement assessing SR from a 30 Hertz (Hz) video for 10 seconds (s) and multiplying it by 6. We observed excellent interrater agreement assessing FSP for 10s at 240 Hz. These 10s methods for assessing running may be used to inform clinical decision making when evaluating running gait. Key point's Two-dimensional video assessment at 30 Hz demonstrated high intra- and interrater reliability for detecting step rate; the 10-second method is valid and reliable for detecting step rate when compared to the 60-second method; Detecting foot strike using a 2-point scale is more reliable at 240Hz rather than 30Hz.
Closed-Form 3-D Position Estimation Lateration Algorithm Reference Pair Selection Technique for a Multilateration System

The position estimation (PE) accuracy of the lateration algorithm of a multilateration system depends on several factors. These factors include the number of ground receiving station (GRS)s deployed, the approach to the lateration algorithm, the geometry of the deployed GRSs, the number of GRS used as reference for the lateration algorithm and the choice of GRS used as reference to generate the time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements for the lateration algorithm. A closed-form reference pair lateration algorithm based on a total of five GRSs is developed and a technique for selecting the suitable GRS reference pair to generate the TDOA measurements to be used with lateration algorithm is suggested. The technique is based on condition number computation and selecting the GRS pair with the least condition number as a reference for the closed-form lateration algorithm. The suggested technique is validated using 5-square and pentagon GRS configurations at some selected aircraft positions. The validation results show that the suggested technique can be used to determine the suitable GRS reference pair to generate the TDOA measurements for a passive multilateration system.
The labour-share decrease and the technological-knowledge increase

ABSTRACT We extend the R&D-growth literature by considering an endogenous labour share of the aggregate income to analyse the effects on macroeconomic aggregates. Up to the stable and unique steady-state, the share of skilled workers in the R&D sector first has an instantaneous drop and then starts to increase, the economic-growth rate and the skill-premium increase, and the labour share of the aggregate income decreases due to automation.
Standard Deviation Based Modified Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm for Task Scheduling to Efficient Resource Allocation in Cloud Computing

The Cloud Computing has an epochal technology now a day. Managing the incoming request (tasks) to available resources is a challenge for scientist and researchers. This paper proposes a Standard Deviation based Modified Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm (SDMCOA) for task scheduling to efficiently manage the resources. The proposed sys-tem works, in two phases. In the first phase, the sample initial population have been calculated among the available number of task’s population. Rather to take the sample randomly, if an appropriate population’s sample for an experiment are chosen then there are more chances to get optimal result. In second phase, the Cuckoo Optimization Algorithm has been modified with respect to immigration and laying stage. This helps to improve the performance of the system. The experimental results using Cybershake Scientific Workflow shows that the proposed SDMCOA performs better than existing methods BATS, COA in terms of finish time and response time. 
New [18F]Tracers for Alzheimer's Disease Imaging. Labeling Synthesis And Biological Testing

Johanna Rokka NEW [F]TRACERS FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IMAGING. LABELING SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL TESTING. University of Turku Faculty of Medicine Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku PET Centre Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine TuDMM Annales Universitatis Turkuensis Sarjaser. D osa tom. 1156 Suomen Yliopistopaino Oy, Juvenes Print Turku, Finland 2015 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Characteristic changes in an AD brain are the formation of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, though other alterations in the brain have also been connected to AD. No cure is available for AD and it is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly in developed countries. Liposomes are biocompatible and biodegradable spherical phospholipid bilayer vesicles that can enclose various compounds. Several functional groups can be attached on the surface of liposomes in order to achieve long-circulating target-specific liposomes. Liposomes can be utilized as drug carriers and vehicles for imaging agents. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a non-invasive imaging method to study biological processes in living organisms. In this study using nucleophilic F-labeling synthesis, various synthesis approaches and leaving groups for novel PET imaging tracers have been developed to target AD pathology in the brain. The tracers were the thioflavin derivative [F]flutemetamol, curcumin derivative [F]treg-curcumin, and functionalized [F]nanoliposomes, which all target Aβ in the AD brain. These tracers were evaluated using transgenic AD mouse models. In addition, F-labeling synthesis was developed for a tracer targeting the S1P3 receptor. The chosen F-fluorination strategy had an effect on the radiochemical yield and specific activity of the tracers. [F]Treg-curcumin and functionalized [F]nanoliposomes had low uptake in AD mouse brain, whereas [F]flutemetamol exhibited the appropriate properties for preclinical Aβ-imaging. All of these tracers can be utilized in studies of the pathology and treatment of AD and related diseases.
Health impact of brief interventions by a registered dietitian during exercise sessions in a phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation setting

Weight management is integral to cardiovascular risk reduction. However, minimal weight loss is achieved during participation in many cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. The objective of the present study was to establish if brief interventions by a registered dietitian (RD) during cardiac rehabilitation sessions improved the health status of patients with cardiovascular disease. An RD provided individualized nutrition counseling, answered nutrition questions, and reviewed weekly progress in a CR program for a four-month period. At baseline and upon completion of 19 CR sessions, nutrition knowledge was assessed using a 38-question test, and body weight was measured. Upon completing CR, patients rated the degree at which they were making healthier food choices and how much they liked having an RD assessable during CR. After four months, the exercise physiologists (EPs) rated the value of having an RD in CR. Outcomes were collected on every patient who completed CR during this period, and values were compared to outcomes of patients who completed CR during the same timeframe one year earlier. Both groups received instruction regarding the traditional CR exercise program and four 45-minute weekly group nutrition education sessions. Forty-nine patients (36 males) completed CR with the RD present. Mean nutrition knowledge test scores improved from 59 ±1 4% to 72 ± 14%, (p = < .001). After completing CR, patients reported making healthier food choices 8.1 ± 1.2 out of 10 on a Likert scale. Additionally, patients related the helpfulness of having an RD available to answer their nutrition questions 8.7 ± 4.8 out of 10. The group of patients who had an RD present during CR had a mean weight loss of 1.48 ± 7.1 lbs (range -18.8 to 16.4 lbs) when compared to the group who did not have access to an RD. Ten patients were referred for individual nutrition counseling with an outpatient RD. Exercise physiologists rated the value of having an RD as part of the health care team a 9.8 out of 10. There was a trend towards greater weight loss in the group of patients who had access to an RD in CR.
Acoustic sensing of renal stone fragmentation in extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

This thesis describes the research carried out by the author on the exploitation of acoustic emissions detected during extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (a non-invasive procedure for the treatment of urinary stones) to develop a new diagnostic system. The work formed part of a research project on lithotripsy undertaken by the University of Southampton in collaboration with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (London) and a UK based company, Precision Acoustics Ltd (Dorchester). It takes to a clinical conclusion the proposition made by Leighton and Coleman in 1992 that it might be possible to build a sensor which would automatically exploit these passive acoustic emissions to monitor the efficacy of a lithotripsy treatment. The work, predominantly experimental, involved both in vitro and in vivo investigations. In particular, a first prototype diagnostic system (i.e. sensor plus analysis software) was developed and tested in vitro during trials which included the use of a novel cavitation sensor (on loan from the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington) and stone phantoms designed by the author. This initial system was, then, refined and tested during clinical trials that involved 130 patients. A preliminary trial on 51 patients aimed at refining the system and gathering knowledge on the features of emissions recorded in vivo to produce an on-line monitoring system. This trial was followed by other two trials that compared the output of the on-line acoustic system against the ‘gold standard’ X-Ray assessment of treatments outcomes. The former of these two trials involved 30 patients, and empirically defined the values of the key parameters (identified during the in vitro tests) that would be used as the basis of the diagnosis. In particular, a classification rule of treatments as being successful or unsuccessful was identified, and shown to agree significantly (kappa=0.95) with the ‘gold standard’ follow-up assessment. The latter trial tested the final system on 49 patients and confirmed an accurate treatment classification (kappa=0.94) in terms of the successful/unsuccessful criterion.
What is the actual relative intensity of a resistance training program for men and women

BACKGROUND: Differences related to sexual characteristics are directly linked to the mechanisms responsible for adaptations from resistance training (RT). Due to these differences, men and women may perform their RT programs at different percentages of maximum strength even when executing the same number of repetitions. OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative repetition maximum (%1RM) at which men and women perform RT in a program controlling repetitions/set. METHODS: Thirty men (22.7 ± 4.4 years, 68.4 ± 9.0 kg, 174.5 ± 6.6 cm), and 34 women (22.7 ± 4.1 years, 58.8 ± 11.9 kg, 162.6 ± 6.2 cm) performed 16 weeks of RT, 3 times per week using 3 sets of 8–12 RM. Anthropometric measurements and 1RM test in bench press (BP), and arm curl (AC) were obtained at baseline and after the RT program. RESULTS: Women performed the training in BP at a higher %1RM than men ( P 0.05). There was not significant main effect for AC ( P> 0.05) indicating no change in %1RM at which each sex exercised. CONCLUSION: We conclude that men and women perform RT at different %1RM in BP, except for the AC during a RT program utilizing 8–12 RM per set.
Drought Risk Assessment and Estimation in Vulnerable Eco-Regions of China: Under the Background of Climate Change

Drought risk analysis can help improve disaster management techniques, thereby reducing potential drought risk under the impacts of climate change. This study analyses observed and model-simulated spatial patterns of changes in drought risk in vulnerable eco-regions in China during 1988–2017 and 2020–2050 using an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. To perform a risk assessment and estimation of a drought disaster, three subsystems—namely hazard, vulnerability and exposure—are assessed in terms of the effects of climate change since the middle of the 21st century: (i) Hazards, represented by climate anomalies related to the drought process, such as changes in rainfall averages, temperature averages and evaporation averages; (ii) vulnerability, encompassing land use and mutual transposition between them; (iii) exposure, consisting of socioeconomic, demographic, and farming. The results demonstrated that high hazards continue to be located in the arid zone, high vulnerability levels occur in the Junggar Basin and Inner Mongolia Plateau, and high exposure levels occur Loess Plateau and southern coastal area. In this way, the results provide exhaustive measures for proactive drought risk management and mitigation strategies.
Devotion and Development: Religiosity, Education, and Economic Progress in 19th-Century France

This paper studies when religion can hamper diffusion of knowledge and economic development, and through which mechanism. I examine Catholicism in France during the Second Industrial Revolution (1870–1914). In this period, technology became skill-intensive, leading to the introduction of technical education in primary schools. I find that more religious locations had lower economic development after 1870. Schooling appears to be the key mechanism: more religious areas saw a slower adoption of the technical curriculum and a push for religious education. In turn, religious education was negatively associated with industrial development 10 to 15 years later, when schoolchildren entered the labor market. (JEL D83, I21, I26, N33, Z12)