23,757 research outputs found
Child-related characteristics predicting subsequent health-related quality of life in 8- to 14-year-old children with and without cerebellar tumors: a prospective longitudinal study
No full textBackgroundWe identified child-related determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children aged 8–14 years who were treated for 2 common types of pediatric brain tumors. MethodsQuestionnaire measures of HRQoL and psychometric assessments were completed by 110 children on 3 occasions over 24 months. Of these 110, 72 were within 3 years of diagnosis of a cerebellar tumor (37 standard-risk medulloblastoma, 35 low-grade cerebellar astrocytoma), and 38 were in a nontumor group. HRQoL, executive function, health status, and behavioral difficulties were also assessed by parents and teachers as appropriate. Regression modeling was used to relate HRQoL z scores to age, sex, socioeconomic status, and 5 domains of functioning: Cognition, Emotion, Social, Motor and Sensory, and Behavior. ResultsHRQoL z scores were significantly lower after astrocytoma than those in the nontumor group and significantly lower again in the medulloblastoma group, both by self-report and by parent-report. In regression modeling, significant child-related predictors of poorer HRQoL z scores by self-report were poorer cognitive and emotional function (both z scores) and greater age (years) at enrollment (B = 0.038, 0.098, 0.136, respectively). By parent-report, poorer cognitive, emotional and motor or sensory function (z score) were predictive of lower subsequent HRQoL of the child (B = 0.043, 0.112, 0.019, respectively), while age at enrollment was not. ConclusionsEarly screening of cognitive and emotional function in this age group, which are potentially amenable to change, could identify those at risk of poor HRQoL and provide a rational basis for interventions to improve HRQoL
Extracting bull and bear markets from stock returns
No full textTraditional methods used to partition the market index into bull and bear regimes often sort returns ex post based on a deterministic rule. We model the entire return distribution; two states govern the bull regime and two govern the bear regime, allowing for rich and heterogeneous intra-regime dynamics. Our model can capture bear market rallies and bull market corrections. A Bayesian estimation approach accounts for parameter and regime uncertainty and provides probability statements regarding future regimes and returns. Applied to 123 years of data our model provides superior identification of trends in stock prices.Markov switching, bear market rallies, bull market corrections, Gibbs sampling
Similar life history traits in bull (Carcharhinus leucas) and pig-eye (C. amboinensis) sharks
No full textAppropriate management strategies for coastal regions require an understanding of how ecological similarities and differences among species shape ecosystem processes. Here, we tested whether morphological similarity equated to similar age and growth patterns in two common coastal sharks in northern Australia. Vertebrae of 199 pig-eye (Carcharhinus amboinensis) and 94 bull (C. leucas) sharks were sourced principally from commercial fisheries operating along the Northern Territory coastline during 2007–2009. We sectioned vertebrae to provide estimates of age of these animals. Model averaging results indicated female pig-eye sharks matured at 13 years and lived >30 years. Theoretical asymptotic length (L∞) (±s.e.) was estimated to be 2672 (±11.94) mm with a growth coefficient (k) of 0.145 year–1. Male pig-eye sharks matured slightly earlier than females (12 years) and survived >26 years. Theoretical asymptotic length for males (L∞) (±s.e.) was also smaller (2540 ± 13.056) mm and they grew faster (k = 0.161 year–1) than females. Bull sharks matured at 9.5 years and reached a maximum theoretical size (L∞) (±s.e.) of 3119 mm (±9.803) with a similar growth coefficient (k = 0.158 year–1) to pig-eye sharks. Longevity of bull sharks was estimated to be more than 27 years. Our results indicate that these patterns of high longevity and slow growth are indicative of low resilience and high susceptibility to over-exploitation of these coastal sharks.Bree J. Tillett, Mark G. Meekan, Iain C. Field, Quan Hua and Corey J. A. Bradsha
Effect of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on long-term neurological function, health state, behaviour, and quality of life in the PNET3 randomized controlled trial of treatment for primitive neuro-ectodermal tumour
No full textObjective: To assess systematically the effect on quality of survival (QoS) of the addition of chemotherapy to craniospinal irradiation (CSI) for treatment of primitive neuro-ectodermal tumour (PNET). Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional multi-informant questionnaire to assess QoS in UK children previously enrolled in the International Society for Paediatric Oncology PNET3 randomized controlled trial (RCT) of CSI (35Gy plus 2OGy boost to posterior fossa) versus CSI plus neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (Vincristine, Carboplatin, Etoposide, and Cyclophosphamide). When comparing the survivors assessed in the present follow-up study, pre- and post-surgical evaluation of neurological function, undertaken at the time of diagnosis, had shown no difference between children in the two treatment arms. Age-appropriate measures of outcome, as assessed by patients, parents, and health professionals, were compared between the treatment arms, using x2, student t-test, or Mann-Whitney U test, in 127/170 (75 %) of survivors at a mean (SD) age of 15.4 (4.0) years and 7 (2.25) years from diagnosis. These are given here for 69 12-17-year-olds for whom the following assessments were employed: (1) neurological assessment by a medical examination form and also by responses of parents to a questionnaire; (2) self-report and proxy- (i.e. principal carer) rated scores for both health status (Health Utilities Index MU [HUI3]), and behavioural problems (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [ SDQ]); and (3) quality of life (Paediatric Quality of Life questionnaire [PedsQL]). Results: In 12-17-year-olds allocated to the CSI + chemo arm, relative to the CSI alone arm: (1) Neurological function was more impaired, particularly with respect to physical restriction of activity (n=69, x2 = 10.78, p=0.001); (2) HUI scores were significantly lower both on self-assessment (n=63, U=300.5, p=0.005) and proxy assessment (n=63, U=344, p=0.04), explained by differences in the domain of cognition and dexterity; (3) 'Total difficulties' scores on the SDQ were higher (n=63, t=2.l, p=0.04) on parental assessment with more emotional symptoms. There was a similar trend on self-assessment; and (4) PedsQL scores were significantly lower both on self-assessment (n=63, U=345.0, p=0.045) and proxy-assessment (n=63, t=-2.829, p=0.006) with lower scores for physical health. Differences between treatment arms, showed a similar pattern of significant differences in the 18-24-year-olds (n=38) but not in the 6-11-year-olds (n=20). There were clear relationships between HUI, SDQ, and PedsQL group scores. Conclusions: The addition of chemotherapy to 'standard dose' CSI may adversely affect health status, behaviour, and quality of life. The effect on these measures of reducing the dose of CSI and simultaneously adding chemotherapy (e.g. in the current PNET4 RCT) requires further investigatio
Duration Dependence in Stock Prices: An Analysis of Bull and Bear Markets
No full textThis paper investigates the presence of bull and bear market states in stock price dynamics. A new definition of bull and bear market states based on sequences of stopping times tracing local peaks and troughs in stock prices is proposed. Duration dependence in stock prices is investigated through posterior mode estimates of the hazard function in bull and bear markets. We find that the longer a bull market has lasted, the lower is the probability that it will come to a termination. In contrast, the longer a bear market has lasted, the higher is its termination probability. Interest rates are also found to have an important effect on cumulated changes in stock prices: increasing interest rates are associated with an increase in bull market hazard rates and a decrease in bear market hazard rates.
Bilateral congenital lacrimal fistula in a Brown Swiss bull
No full textA five-year-old Brown Swiss bull was referred to the Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich, because of bilateral epiphora that was unresponsive to treatment. Clinical examination revealed a fistulous opening medial to the medial canthus of both eyes and mucopurulent discharge from both openings. Attempts to flush the nasolacrimal duct via the lacrimal points resulted in the fluid exiting via the fistulous opening. Retrograde flushing of the nasolacrimal duct from the nasolacrimal opening resulted in the flush fluid flowing back out the nasolacrimal opening. Bilateral lacrimal fistula medial to the medial canthus of the eye was diagnosed based on the findings. The same anomaly was diagnosed a year later in 4 related female animals referred to our Department for other reasons. Three of the cases were sired by the bull described above and one was sired by his half-brother. Therefore, an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of this anomaly was assumed. Clinical, epidemiological and molecular studies of the offspring of both bulls are underway to further investigate this anomaly
Does Beta React to Market Conditions? Estimates of Bull and Bear Betas using a Nonlinear Market Model with an Endogenous Threshold Parameter
No full textWe apply a logistic smooth transition market model (LSTM) to a sample of returns on Australian industry portfolios to investigate whether bull and bear market betas differ. Unlike other studies, our LSTM model allows for smooth transition between bull and bear states and allows the data to determine the threshold value. The estimated value of the smoothness parameter was very large for all industries implying that transition is abrupt. Therefore we estimated the threshold as a parameter along with the two betas in a dual beta market (DBM) framework using a sequential conditional least squares (SCLS) method. Using Lagrange Multiplier type tests of linearity, and the SCLS method our results indicate that for all but two industries the bull and bear betas are significantly different.Logistic Smooth Transition Market Model (LSTM); Sequential Conditional Least Squares (SCLS); Linearity Tests; Bull/Bear Betas
Predicting the Bull Run: scientific evidence for turning points of markets
No full textIncludes bibliographical references.This study investigates predictability in financial markets, specifically the South African financial market, proxied by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) All Share Index (ALSI). It provides scientific evidence of past research of turning points in markets, focusing on bull markets as evidence suggests that predictability of bull markets leads to superior returns for an asset manager. In addition, this study provides an analysis of macroeconomic variables that can be used for predictability in the South Africa financial market. We found that certain macroeconomic variables do contain an element of predictability with the yield spread and short term interest rates being the best indicators. In addition we found that predicting the Bull Run in its earliest phase provides superior returns to an asset manager
Amplification of virD1 and opine synthase gene from tumorigenic rose and aster strains of Agrobacterium in Taiwan by polymerase chain reaction
No full textKinetics of sperm penetration in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) species: effect of bull
No full textThe aim of this work was to evaluate whether the kinetics of sperm penetration varies among buffalo bulls. To assess penetration, in vitro matured buffalo oocytes were inseminated with MitoTracker-labelled spermatozoa (Ward, 2002, Theriogenology, 2105-2117) from 4 different bulls (n = 248, 254, 269 and 217 respectively with bulls A, B, C, D, over 3 replicates). Oocytes were subsequently fixed every 3 h (up to 18 h) post-insemination (pi). At each time point, oocytes were denuded, dezoned, fixed in ethanol overnight and stained with DAPI for nuclei examination under fluorescence microscope. Differences in the percentages of monospermic penetration among bulls were analyzed by Chi square test. Bull A showed higher (P<0.01) penetration than bulls B, C and D at 3 h pi (67, 12, 6 and 0 %), at 6 h pi (74, 26, 26 and 3 %), at 9 h pi (79, 36, 49 and 8 %) and at 12 h pi (63, 49, 54 and 16 %). At 15 h pi bull C reached the same penetration rate of bull A (69 and 71 % vs 46 and 24 % respectively for bulls A, C, B and D; P<0.01). At 18 h pi bulls A, B and C reached similar percentages of penetration (60, 76, 72 vs 26 % respectively for bulls A, B, C and D; P<0.01). Bull D exhibited the lowest penetration rate at all time points studied. In conclusion, marked differences in the kinetics of sperm penetration exist among buffalo bulls, suggesting a possible correlation with fertility that needs to be investigated. Furthermore, this finding suggests to vary the gametes co-incubation time in relation to the bull used for in vitro fertilization
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