Description:
This paper investigates the efficiency and productivity of listed and non-listed banks in China by using the meta-frontier and GMMPI methods. We find that the improvement in productivity of listed and non-listed banks is mainly due to changes in technological efficiency. The difference between them is that the improvement of productivity of listed banks presents a typical technology-driven feature, and changes in scale efficiency negatively affect productivity. The productivity of non-listed banks shows scale efficiency driving features. The meta-frontier efficiency of listed banks is significantly higher than the others. After decomposing the technology gap ratio, we find that the current production technology of the listed banks is closer to the potential production technology frontiers, and there is space for the non-listed banks to improve their efficiency. Besides, the gaps between the true extent and the potential technological frontiers of both listed banks and non-listed banks have converged.
Description:
In Bayesian classifier learning, estimating the joint probability distribution (,) or the likelihood (|) directly from training data is considered to be difficult, especially in large multidimensional data sets. To circumvent this difficulty, existing Bayesian classifiers such as Naive Bayes, BayesNet, and ADE have focused on estimating simplified surrogates of (,) from different forms of one‐dimensional likelihoods. Contrary to the perceived difficulty in multidimensional likelihood estimation, we present a simple generic ensemble approach to estimate multidimensional likelihood directly from data. The idea is to aggregate (|) estimated from a random subsample of data . This article presents two ways to estimate multidimensional likelihoods using the proposed generic approach and introduces two new Bayesian classifiers called and that estimate (|) using a nearest‐neighbor density estimation and a probability estimation through feature space partitioning, respectively. Unlike the existing Bayesian classifiers, ENNBayes and MassBayes have constant training time and space complexities and they scale better than existing Bayesian classifiers in very large data sets. Our empirical evaluation shows that ENNBayes and MassBayes yield better predictive accuracy than the existing Bayesian classifiers in benchmark data sets.
Description:
Numerous studies have explored the effects of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) – including anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a‐tDCS), cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (c‐tDCS), transcranial alternative current stimulation (tACS), transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) and transcranial pulsed current stimulation (tPCS) – on corticospinal excitability (CSE) in healthy populations. However, the efficacy of these techniques and their optimal parameters for producing robust results has not been studied. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to consolidate current knowledge about the effects of various parameters of a‐tDCS, c‐tDCS, tACS, tRNS and tPCS on the CSE of the primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy people. Leading electronic databases were searched for relevant studies published between January 1990 and February 2017 126 articles were identified, and their results were extracted and analysed using RevMan software. The meta‐analysis showed that a‐tDCS application on the dominant side significantly increases CSE (P < 0.01) and that the efficacy of a‐tDCS is dependent on current density and duration of application. Similar results were obtained for stimulation of M1 on the non‐dominant side (P = 0.003). The effects of a‐tDCS reduce significantly after 24 h (P = 0.006). Meta‐analysis also revealed significant reduction in CSE following c‐tDCS (P < 0.001) and significant increases after tRNS (P = 0.03) and tPCS (P = 0.01). However, tACS effects on CSE were only significant when the stimulation frequency was ≥140 Hz. This review provides evidence that tES has substantial effects on CSE in healthy individuals for a range of stimulus parameters. tES has significant effect on corticospinal excitability (CSE) in healthy individuals. Among tES techniques, application of a‐tDCS on non‐dominant side primary motor cortex produces significant effect on CSE. Future studies should focus the effect of tPCS on CSE.
Description:
Polymeric aging in starch is an important equilibrating process leading to long-chain amylose recrystallization and anisotropic properties of material made from starch. Investigations into a number of plasticizers and hydrocolloids showed that their water retention/binding capability influence the starch polymer’s crystallinity. Addition of up to 8 wt % glycerol and 3 wt % xylitol acted as an antiplasticizer and apparently increased the total crystalline phase, which reduced the degree of elongation of amylose matrix by 15%. Maltodextrin and xanthan gum also reduced matrix elongation capability but X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed samples with varying crystallinity, and the extent of crystallinity did not correlate with respective tensile properties. Additives such as maltodextrin, with similar molecular structure as amylose, were ineffective in increasing degree of elongation even at 15 wt % addition rate, because of formation of pockets of crystalline region, as observed by XRD analysis. Both xylitol and xanthan gum samples showed similar tensile strength and elongation properties, but the water retention capability of xylitol-filled starch samples was about 27% lower than xanthan gum samples, at their respective higher concentrations. A dynamic structural unit is proposed to satisfy the isotropic increase in tensile strength and degree of elongation in oriented starch matrix. VVC 2009Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 000: 000–000, 2009
Description:
Although only representing 0.05% of global freshwater, or 0.001% of all global water, soil water supports all terrestrial biological life. Soil moisture behaviour in most models is constrained by hydraulic parameters that do not change. Here we argue that biological feedbacks from plants, macro-fauna and the microbiome influence soil structure, and thus the soil hydraulic parameters and the soil water content signals we observe. Incorporating biological feedbacks into soil hydrological models is therefore important for understanding environmental change and its impacts on ecosystems. We anticipate that environmental change will accelerate and modify soil hydraulic function. Increasingly, we understand the vital role that soil moisture exerts on the carbon cycle and other environmental threats such as heatwaves, droughts and floods, wildfires, regional precipitation patterns, disease regulation and infrastructure stability, in addition to agricultural production. Biological feedbacks may result in changes to soil hydraulic function that could be irreversible, resulting in alternative stable states (ASS) of soil moisture. To explore this, we need models that consider all the major feedbacks between soil properties and soil-plant-faunal-microbial-atmospheric processes, which is something we currently do not have. Therefore, a new direction is required to incorporate a dynamic description of soil structure and hydraulic property evolution into soil-plant-atmosphere, or land surface, models that consider feedbacks from land use and climate drivers of change, so as to better model ecosystem dynamics.
Description:
Background With depression predicted to contribute to an increased disease burden in coming decades, prevention efforts have become increasingly important. In order to prevent depression it is valuable to identify and classify longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms across development, ideally beginning early in childhood. To achieve this, longitudinal studies are increasingly using person‐centered data‐analytic methods to model subgroups with similar developmental patterns (trajectories) of depressive symptoms. Method A search was completed for English language studies that longitudinally modeled depressive symptom trajectories in nonclinical populations with a baseline age of <19 years. Study characteristics were extracted, prevalence rates and risk factors were summarized, a random‐effect meta‐analysis was undertaken, and risk of bias analysis completed. Results Twenty studies published between 2002 and 2015 were included. Participants were recruited at ages 4 through 17 (average age 12.34) and followed longitudinally for an average of 7.45 years. Between 3 and 11 trajectory subgroups were identified. A random pooled effect estimate identified 56% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 46–65%] of the sampled study populations (N = 41,236) on ‘No or low’ depressive symptom trajectories and 26% (CI 14–40%) on a ‘Moderate’ trajectory. ‘High’, ‘Increasing’, and ‘Decreasing’ depressive symptom subgroups were evident for 12% (CI 8–17%). Moderate symptoms were associated with poorer adjustment and outcomes relative to low symptom groups. ‘High’ or ‘Increasing’ trajectories were predominantly predicted by: female gender, low socioeconomic status, higher stress reactivity conduct issues substance misuse, and problems in peer and parental relationships. Conclusions The review highlighted consistent evidence of subgroups of children and adolescents who differ in their depressive symptom development over time. The findings suggest preventative interventions should evaluate the longer term benefits of increasing membership in low and moderate trajectories, while also targeting reductions in high‐risk subgroups. Considerable between‐study method and measurement variation indicate the need for future trajectory studies to use standardized methods.
Description:
Banksias are iconic Australian plants, with a Gondwanan origin. Their specialised roots help survival on low-phosphorus soils, and many species have reproductive cycles adapted to fire. They are trophically important in many of Australia’s native forests, woodlands and heathlands, providing nectar, pollen and seeds for many species of birds, mammals and invertebrates. While legacies of land use have reduced the historic extent of some Banksia species, more recent declines have raised additional concerns about their persistence in some landscapes. A range of factors are considered to be impacting Banksia persistence (Lamont et al. 2007), including habitat loss and fragmentation (e.g. Miller et al. 2020), increased fire frequency (e.g. Bradstock et al. 1997) and climate change (e.g. Steel et al. 2019), but there is no consensus about how these interacting factors may be driving declines, and how widespread these declines may be. The challenges facing Banksia species conservation in the south-eastern state of Victoria were the focus of an online workshop in May 2020. The workshop brought together researchers and land managers from Victorian and interstate universities, Victorian government agencies and volunteer land management groups to share their knowledge of the threats facing banksias, and document ideas to reverse declines. It was organised by Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning), La Trobe University (Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution) and Federation University (Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation). "From introduction"
Description:
Aims and objectives To investigate the prevalence of depression in the third trimester of pregnancy and identify the related demographic risk factors. Background Antenatal depression as a disabling and treatable disease has a wide-ranging impact on perinatal women and has received extensive attention from researchers. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted at three public hospitals. Methods Demographic questionnaire was developed from the literature review, and depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association between depression and demographic predictors. STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was applied in this paper (see Appendix S1). Result A total of 773 pregnant women participated in the study. 29.6% of participants scored more than 9 points on Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. In the final logistic model, living in rural area, marital satisfaction, assisted reproductive technology, lacking of prenatal health knowledge and life events were strongly significantly associated with antenatal depression. Moreover, living in an extended family, without Medicare insurance, unemployed, working as civil servants or healthcare workers, and lower household income also predicted antenatal depression. However, education level, smoking or drinking before pregnancy was found not to be associated with antenatal depression. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the prevalence of antenatal depression was high. Satisfied with the current marital status, pregnancy without assisted reproductive technology, knowledge of perinatal care and no life events recently were considered as the protective factors for antenatal depression. Relevance to clinical practice Antenatal psychological interventions should focus on how to improve the marital satisfaction and the relationship with their family members. More attentions should be paid to the women who have had some life events recently or received assisted reproductive technology for pregnancy.
Description:
Sustainable development goal (SDG) implementation is still at an early stage globally. Implementation of the SDGs in developing countries particularly appears very complex and challenging. A key challenge encountered by policymakers at the national and international levels is the prevailing huge financing gap. The current level of SDG-related financing and investing is far less than what is needed, and there is a growing concern on how to close this gap. This paper explores the key challenges in SDG financing and potential way-out to mitigate them, particularly in the context of developing countries. The paper reviews the existing literature and practitioner documents, identifies the key challenges, and provides a suggestive mapping of potential strategies to overcome those. The paper argues that given the current level of SDG progress and financing, the world needs immediate action to mobilize adequate financing to achieve the SDGs by the set time line of 2030.
Description:
Aims and objectives. To present the findings from the experienced rural nurse participants of a larger study that explored the transitional experiences of newly graduated nurses making the role transition in rural health care facilities in Australia. Background. There are specific and unique aspects of rural nursing practice that influence the nature and timing of support for new graduate nurses that have not been explored or acknowledged as influencing the new graduate nurses’ experience of transition. Specifically, the difficulties and challenges that experienced rural nurses face in providing effective and timely support for new graduate nurses who are making the transition to rural nursing practice is yet to be explored. Design. Using a qualitative case study framework, this study specifically aimed to investigate and describe the nature and timing of support required during the transition to nursing practice that is specific for the rural context and capacity. Methods. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 experienced rural nurses who, at the time of the study, worked with new graduate nurses in the rural practice environment. Results. The findings from this study showed that the provision of timely on-ward support for new graduates making the transition to rural nursing practice is affected and influenced by the skill mix and staffing allocation within the rural environment. As well, there is a lack of awareness by rural nurses of how to meet the on-ward support needs of new graduate nurses. Conclusions. This study has identified the specific and unique aspects of the rural nurse’s role and responsibilities for which the new graduate nurse requires incremental learning and intensive clinical support. Relevance to clinical practice. The findings can be used by rural health services and experienced rural registered nurses to assist in implementing adequate and timely support for new graduate nurses.
Description:
Aims and objectives. The aim of this paper is to present the findings from the new graduate nurse participants of a larger study that explored the transitional experiences of newly graduated nurses making the role transition in rural health care facilities in Australia. Background. Evidence indicates that workload, skill mix and organizational pressures are still of concern for new nursing graduates within the Australian context and internationally. Many graduates are expected by employers to have high levels of independence, well developed problem solving abilities and be able to assume management and leadership responsibilities early in their graduate year. Design. An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative case study design was utilised to determine the particular support needs over time that would assist with a safe transition to the rural nursing workforce. The aims of the study were to: (1) Explore the new graduate nurses’ perceptions and experience of the nature and timing of support throughout their Transition to Practice Program in a rural setting; (2) Identify the functional elements of rural graduate nurse transition programs and develop guidelines that will assist in the design of Transition to Practice Programs that match the rural context and capacity. Methods. A purposive sample of 15 new graduate nurses who had commenced a 12 month Transition to Practice Program within a rural health facility from northern New South Wales, Australia, participated in this study. In-depth individual interviews with the new graduate nurses were conducted at time intervals of three to four months, six to seven months and 10 to 11 months. Results. One of the key findings of this study is that as the new graduate nurse making the transition to professional rural nursing practice moves along the transition continuum, there are particular and unique aspects of the rural nurse’s role and responsibilities for which the new graduate nurse will require specific learning support during their transition. Conclusions. When the new graduate moves from the role of the student to the less familiar role of professional practitioner, it is important that a rural Transition to Practice Program offers an incrementally staged workload and responsibilities that recognises the graduate’s beginning nurse status. Relevance to clinical practice. The study contributes new knowledge to the discussion of issues concerning support mechanisms for new graduate nurses as they make the transition to rural nursing practice.