O propósito deste trabalho é analisar os dois romances, Uma aprendizagem ou o livro dos prazeres, de Clarice Lispector, e El silencio de las sirenas, de Adelaida García Morales, respeitados seus respectivos referenciais literários, como releituras subversivas da tradição literária narrativa, operação esta que denominamos \"penelopéias metaromancescas\". Com este propósito, percorremos a tradição mítico-poética, a partir do modus operandi de cada romance, tendo em vista que cada um procura re-ler e subverter os mitos de Ulisses, Penélope e das Sereias ao resgatar a voz discursiva feminina usurpada a partir da epopéia homérica, e revisamos alguns estudos que têm o romance como um gênero que nasce da epopéia. / The purpose of this paper is to analyze the romances An apprenticeship or The book of pleasures by Clarice Lispector and The silence of the sirens, by Adelaida García, respecting their literary referential as subversives rereadings of the narrative literary tradition, an operation that we call \"penelopees meta-ramancescs\". With this aim we go through the poetic mythic tradition, from the modus operandi of each novel, having in mind that each one searches rereading and subverting the myths of Ulysses, Penelope and the Sirens when rescuing the female discursive voice seized from the Homeric epopee, and review some studies that have the romance as a genre that comes from the epopee.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a performance dos métodos visual, radiográfico e baseados em fluorescência quanto à detecção de lesões de cárie em dentes permanentes e decíduos, realizar meta-análise com a performance global dos métodos e investigar as possíveis fontes de heterogeneidades. Foram realizadas três revisões distintas relacionadas a cada método diagnóstico. Quatro examinadores avaliaram os trabalhos, sendo pelo menos dois por método. Estes efetuaram a busca e seleção de artigos de modo independente; um pesquisador com experiência em trabalhos de diagnóstico de cárie resolveu os casos de conflito ou dúvida. As bases de dados eletrônicas utilizadas foram MEDLINE, EMBASE e Scopus, visando reduzir o viés de publicação, também foram buscados trabalhos acadêmicos e documentos não publicados, através do OpenSigle e Anais do Congresso ORCA. Após a seleção dos estudos por critérios de inclusão e exclusão bem definidos, os dados foram coletados e anotados, de maneira independente por cada revisor. Foi realizada a avaliação da qualidade metodológica através da ferramenta Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) e a análise estatística através do Paired Forest Plot, Summary Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis (SROC), relative diagnostic odds ratio (RDOR), análise de sensibilidade e gráfico de funil, além da investigação e exploração das possíveis fontes de heterogeneidade. Para o método visual, 102 artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Em geral, a análise demonstrou que o método visual teve uma boa acurácia para a detecção de lesões de cárie. Embora estudos laboratoriais e clínicos tenham apresentado acurácias semelhantes, os valores de especificidade obtidos clinicamente foram maiores. Observamos, também, moderada a elevada heterogeneidade e evidência de viés de publicação na maioria dos estudos. Além disso, o uso de sistemas de escores visual resultaram em valores significativamente melhores de acurácia em comparação com estudos que utilizaram os seus próprios critérios. Quanto à relevância clínica dos estudos de acurácia do método visual, 96 estudos foram incluídos. Em geral, a maioria dos estudos falha em considerar alguns aspectos clínicos relevantes: somente 1 estudo incluiu avaliação da atividade das lesões; nenhum estudo considerou o seu prognóstico; 79 estudos não consideraram um desfecho clínico relevante e apenas 1 avaliou um desfecho centrado no paciente. Quanto à qualidade metodológica, a maioria dos estudos presentes apresentou alto risco de viés na seleção da amostra. Quanto ao método radiográfico, 116 artigos foram selecionados. Os métodos radiográficos convencional e digital apresentaram desempenho semelhante, mostrando valores maiores de especificidade comparados aos de sensibilidade, além de maiores valores de AUC no limiar de lesões mais avançadas. Quanto aos métodos baseados em fluorescência, 75 estudos preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Em geral, a análise demonstrou uma tendência a valores de acurácia semelhantes para todos os tipos de dentes, superfícies ou tipos de estudo. Houve uma tendência de melhor desempenho na detecção de lesões de cárie mais avançadas. Observamos, também, moderada a alta heterogeneidade e evidência de viés de publicação. Em conclusão, o método visual de detecção de lesões de cárie tem um bom desempenho geral, mas os estudos deveriam considerar desfechos clínicos relevantes, além da acurácia. Além disso, eles deveriam ser conduzidos com maior qualidade metodológica, principalmente em relação à seleção da amostra. Ainda, a utilização de índices detalhados e validados parece melhorar a acurácia do método. O método radiográfico não apresentou diferença entre os modos de aquisição de imagem (digital ou convencional), demonstrando uma tendência a valores superiores de especificidade e melhor desempenho em lesões avançadas. Quanto aos dispositivos baseados em fluorescência, estes mostraram desempenho global semelhante; no entanto, uma melhor acurácia na detecção de lesões de cárie mais avançadas tem sido observada. / This study aimed to evaluate the performance of visual, radiographic and fluorescence-based methods in the detection of caries lesions in permanent and primary teeth, to perform meta-analysis of the overall performance of the methods and to investigate possible sources of heterogeneity. Three distinct systematic reviews related to each diagnostic method were performed. Four observers evaluated the articles, at least two per method. They performed the search and study selection independently; a researcher with experience in caries diagnostic studies solved the cases of conflict or doubt. Electronic databases used were MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus, to reduce publication bias, were also pursued academic papers and unpublished documents through OpenSigle and the Annals of ORCA Congress. After the selection of studies by well-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, data were collected and recorded, independently by each reviewer. Methodological quality assessment was performed through Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS) and statistical analysis using Paired Forest Plot, Summary Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis (SROC), relative diagnostic odds ratio (RDOR), sensitivity analysis and funnel plot, in addition we explored possible sources of heterogeneity. Regarding the accuracy of visual method, 102 articles met the inclusion criteria. In general, visual analysis showed that the method had a good accuracy in the detection of caries lesions. Although laboratory and clinical studies have shown similar accuracies, clinical studies have obtained higher specificities. We also observed moderate to high heterogeneity and evidence of publication bias in most studies. In addition, the use of visual scoring systems resulted in significantly better accuracy compared to studies using their own criteria. Concerning the clinical relevance of accuracy studies of visual method, 96 studies were included. In general, most studies failed to consider some relevant clinical aspects: only 1 study included assessment of activity of the lesions; no study considered their prognosis; 79 studies did not consider a relevant clinical outcome and only 1 evaluated a patient-centered outcome. With regard to the methodological quality, most of the present studies showed a high risk of bias in the selection of the sample. With concern to the radiographic method, 116 articles were selected. Conventional and digital radiographic methods showed similar performance, showing greater specificity values compared to sensitivity, and higher AUC values at the threshold of more advanced caries lesions. Regarding fluorescence-based methods, 75 studies met the inclusion criteria. In general, the analysis demonstrated that the fluorescence-based method tend to have similar accuracy for all types of teeth, dental surfaces or settings. There was a trend of better performance of fluorescence methods in detecting more advanced caries lesions. We also observed moderate to high heterogeneity and evidenced publication bias. In conclusion, the visual method of detecting caries lesions has a good overall performance, but studies should consider relevant clinical outcomes, as well as accuracy. In addition, they should be conducted with greater methodological quality, especially in relation to sample selection. Still, the use of detailed and validated indices seems to improve the accuracy of the method. Radiographic method showed no difference between the image acquisition modes (digital or conventional), showing a tendency to higher values of specificity and performance in advanced caries lesions. Fluorescence-based devices showed similar overall performance; however, a better accuracy in detecting more advanced caries has been observed.

Conclusions. The sensitivity and positive predictive value are generally more concerned than the specificity and negative predictive value in assessing and adjusting publication bias in meta-analyses. In this sense, Egger's regression can be recommended for its high sensitivity, while any positive result from Tang's method would suggest a probability of bias that should be taken seriously. Given the different patterns of the accuracy with the OR and the P1-P2 combination, a combination of Egger's regression and Tang's regression would be advisable. Further studies are needed to study the accuracy of methods used in combination. / Due to sampling error and true heterogeneity, a single study cannot provide a comprehensive picture and a precise estimate of, say the effectiveness of a treatment. Systematic reviews that identify and integrate relevant studies have become the most important scientific, quantitative method to summarize scientific research. Meta-analysis is the statistical method used in systematic reviews to combine results from individual studies. / However, due to selective submission and publication, not all relevant studies conducted, especially those unpublished studies with an insignificant negative result, are easily accessible to those who conduct reviews. As a result, the truth, say, the effect of a treatment, would be overestimated. This phenomenon is known as publication bias. A few methods for detecting the bias have been developed and used in meta-analyses. Although their accuracy has been studied, some important issues remain to be answered, such as when would a method be good enough for practical use and is it similarly good for different definitions of the odds ratio? / Methods. We conducted a simulation study to examine the accuracy of four commonly used bias-detection methods with various ORs and P1-P2 combinations. In a simulation study, the true bias status can be predetermined and thus be compared with the results of the bias-detection methods. The four methods are Egger's regression, funnel plot regression, rank correlation regression, and Tang's regression. Realistic sample size was used for simulating individual studies and the numbers of studies in a meta-analysis was also varied. Both the sensitivity and specificity are examined against the magnitude of the OR and the P1-P 2 combination to identify the ORs and P1-P 2 combinations for which a method is sufficiently accurate. Predictive values are also examined for the same reason and in the same manner. / Results. The sensitivity and positive predictive value are generally low and in particular when the OR is close to one for which publication bias is of a particular concern. Egger's regression has the highest sensitivity among the four, in particular when the OR is neither close to one nor exceptionally large or small. Due to the relatively lower specificity, the positive predictive value of Egger's regression is not as high as that for Tang's regression and funnel plot regression. Tang's regression and funnel plot regression are very similar in sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, with the former being slightly better. Rank correlation seems the least accurate method overall. Tang's regression has in general the highest positive predictive value among the four methods in particular when the OR is below one. / Chung Chi-keung. / "June 2006." / Adviser: Tang Jin Ling. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1588. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-124). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

L'émergence du phénomène Big Data a créé un besoin grandissant en analyse de données, mais, bien souvent, cette analyse est conduite par des experts de différents domaines ayant peu d'expérience en science des données. On s'intéresse donc à ce besoin d'assistance à l'analyse de données, qui commence tout juste à recevoir une certaine attention des communautés scientifiques, donnant naissance au domaine de la méta-analyse. Les premières approches du sujet se révélant souvent similaires et peu abouties, on tente en particulier de permettre de nouvelles approches de méta-analyse pour adresser ce problème d'assistance à l'analyse de données. Pour ce faire, une première étape cruciale est de déterminer ce qu'est une méta-analyse performante, aucun standard n'ayant encore été établi dans ce domaine relativement neuf. On propose ainsi un cadre générique d'évaluation de méta-analyse, permettant de comparer et caractériser finement diverses techniques de méta- analyse. Ensuite, afin d'ouvrir de nouvelles voies, on s'intéresse à un verrou majeur de la méta-analyse : la caractérisation de jeu de données. On propose et évalue alors une caractérisation par dissimilarité faisant usage de toute l'information disponible pour autoriser de nouvelles approches de méta-analyse. L'utilisation de cette caractérisation par dissimilarité permettant de recommander facilement des processus d'analyse de données complets, on décrit enfin les nouvelles approches de méta-analyses rendues possibles, ainsi que les processus afférents d'assistance à l'analyse de données. / The emergence of the big data phenomenon has led to increasing demands in data analysis, which most often are conducted by other domains experts with little experience in data science. We then consider this important demand in intelligent assistance to data analysis, which receives an increasing attention from the scientific community. The first takes on the subject often possessing similar shortcomings, we propose to address it through new processes of meta-analysis. No evaluation standard having yet been set in this relatively new domain, we first propose a meta-analysis evaluation framework that will allow us to test and compare the developed methods. In order to open new approaches of meta-analysis, we then consider one of its recurring issue: dataset characterization. We then propose and evaluate such a characterization, consisting in a dissimilarity between datasets making use of a precise topological description to compare them. This dissimilarity allows a new meta-analysis approach producing recommendations of complete data analysis processes, which we then evaluate on a proof of concept. We thus detail the proposed methods of meta-analysis, and the associated process of assistance to data analysis.

El presente plan estratégico está enfocado en el Departamento del Meta, estableciendo como visión que en el año 2032 el departamento será un referente nacional de la competitividad, fundamentándose en los pilares de la educación, salud, e innovación tecnológica, impulsado por el desarrollo de las actividades económicas del sector agropecuario y de turismo, generando así mayores beneficios a su población. El óptimo aprovechamiento de los potenciales de desarrollo del país, y la reducción de los desequilibrios regionales exige el uso de instrumentos potentes, como la planificación estratégica con visión de largo plazo, que permita a las entidades territoriales posicionarse de manera competitiva en los escenarios nacionales e internacionales y constituirse en autogestores de su futuro, a través de la consolidación del proceso de descentralización. El Departamento del Meta se encuentra en un proceso de mejora de su competitividad, entendida esta como la capacidad de organización para tener una economía y sociedad, cuyo desarrollo se considera atractivo en términos de crecimiento y competencia económica. Desde dicha perspectiva, el reto que se impone el plan estratégico consiste en lograr movilizar las potencialidades y ventajas comparativas locales para elevar la productividad y competitividad, simultáneamente con la multiplicación de los efectos sobre el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida y la sustentabilidad ambiental. De tal manera que se pueda transformar el crecimiento en desarrollo sostenible con una integración equilibrada del territorio departamental, basada en los preceptos de la nueva geografía económica / The present strategic plan is focused on the Department of Meta, establishing as vision that by 2032 the department will be a national benchmark of competitiveness, based on the pillars of education, health, and technological innovation, driven by the development of Economic activities of the agricultural and tourism sector, thus generating greater benefits to its population. The optimum utilization of the country's development potential and the reduction of regional imbalances require the use of powerful instruments, such as strategic planning with a long-term vision that allows the territorial entities to position themselves competitively in the national and International organizations and to become self-managers of their future, through the consolidation of the decentralization process. The Department of Meta is in a process of improving its competitiveness, understood as the organizational capacity to have an economy and society whose development is considered attractive in terms of growth and economic competition. From that perspective, the challenge imposed by the strategic plan is to mobilize the local potential and comparative advantages to increase productivity and competitiveness, simultaneously with the multiplication of the effects on the improvement of quality of life and environmental sustainability. In such a way that growth can be transformed into sustainable development with a balanced integration of the departmental territory, based on the precepts of the new economic geography / Tesis

OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficácia e a tolerabilidade dos fármacos antiepiléticos (FAE) no tratamento em monoterapia de pacientes com epilepsia focal ou generalizada. MÉTODOS: Uma revisão sistemática foi realizada por meio da busca nas bases de dados eletrônicas Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science e Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials. Foram incluídos os ensaios clínicos controlados com pacientes com epilepsia, em tratamento com FAE, via oral, em monoterapia, e que avaliaram o número de pacientes que atingiram a remissão das crises epilépticas, que interromperam o tratamento devido à ineficácia terapêutica ou à ocorrência de reações adversas (RAM) intoleráveis. Meta-análises de comparação de múltiplos tratamentos foram realizadas por meio do modelo bayesiano de efeitos randômicos que permitiu o cálculo do Odds Ratio meta-analítico para os FAE estudados. Também foi realizado um ranqueamento da probabilidade de cada FAE ser a melhor opção em eficácia e tolerabilidade. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: A busca identificou 18874 publicações, no entanto apenas 71 estudos foram selecionados, compreendendo 17555 pacientes com epilepsia. Vinte e nove estudos apresentaram os desfechos de eficácia no tratamento de crises focais, 19 em crises generalizadas e 58 apresentaram dados de tolerabilidade. Nesses estudos, 15 FAE foram avaliados. No tratamento das crises focais, os FAE de nova geração levetiracetam (LEV), lamotrigina (LTG), oxcarbazepina, sultiame e topiramato (TPM) demonstraram possuir eficácia equivalente à carbamazepina (CBZ), clobazam e valproato (VPA). No entanto, a CBZ apresentou o pior perfil de tolerabilidade devido à grande probabilidade do paciente abandonar o tratamento devido à RAM intoleráveis. Quanto ao tratamento das crises generalizadas, a LTG, LEV e TPM são tão eficazes quanto o VPA para o tratamento de crises generalizadas tônico-clônicas, tônicas e clônicas. O VPA e a etosuximida constituem as melhores opções para o tratamento de crises de ausências, enquanto que a LTG mostrou-se menos eficaz. Para o tratamento de crises mioclônicas e espasmos infantis mais ensaios clínicos randomizados são necessários para fornecer boas evidências que possam guiar a decisão clínica dos profissionais de saúde. Dentre os FAE com perfil de eficácia adequado, a LTG destacou-se pela menor probabilidade de manifestar RAM intoleráveis. / OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of the antiepileptic drugs (AED) in monotherapy of patients with focal or generalized epilepsy. METHODS: A systematic review was in the Medline/Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases. We included randomized clinical trials of patients with epilepsy treated with oral monotherapy AED, which evaluated number of patients becoming seizure free at the maintenance treatment period; number of patients which withdrawals from the study because of therapeutic inefficacy and number of patients which withdrawals from the study because of intolerable adverse reaction. Network meta-analyses were performed using Bayesian random effects model. We also carried out a ranking of the probability of each AED be the best option in the efficacy and tolerability outcomes. Sensitivity analyses were conducted in order to check the robustness of the results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The research identified 18,874 publications, but only 71 studies were selected, comprising 17555 patients with epilepsy.Twenty-nine trials showed the efficacy outcomes in the treatment of focal seizures, 19 in generalized seizures and 58 showed tolerability data. In the treatment of focal seizures, levetiracetam (LEV), lamotrigine (LTG), oxcarbazepine, sultiame and topiramate (TPM) have demonstrated equivalent efficacy to carbamazepine (CBZ), clobazam and valproate (VPA). LTG, LEV and TPM are as effective as the VPA for the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic, tonic and clonic seizures. VPA and ethosuximide are the best options for the treatment of absence seizures, whereas LTG was less effective. For the treatment of myoclonic seizures and infantile spasms, more randomized clinical trials are needed to provide good evidence to guide the clinical decision of health professionals. Among the AED with adequate efficacy profile, LTG stands out as the AED with the best tolerability profile, suggesting it may be the best option for the treatment of patients with epilepsy.

There is no consensus of the concept sexual health in the context of being HIV-positive women. Research in the area tends to focus in different measurable parts of sexual health for HIV-positive women. A meta-synthesis on that research issue can develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of how HIV-positive women in qualitative studies describe and experience sexual health. The purpose with this study is to analyze and synthesize the results about how HIV-positive women describe and experience sexual health. The meta-synthesis follows Noblit and Hare´s method of meta-ethnography and additional use of Walsh and Downe´s checklist to appraise qualitative articles. The result shows that HIV involves changes in the body, sexuality and sexual activity and relationships. The changes lead to feelings of responsibility, fear and hopelessness. Combinations of these feelings lead to actions of avoidance of risks that result in feelings of loss. As a nurse you are expected to promote sexual health as a part of holistic care and with this new knowledge health care workers can help these women to better health and feeling of well-being. / Program: Fristående kurs

De par leur importante compressibilité et leur fréquence de résonance extrêmement basse, les bulles sont des objets physiques singuliers du point de vue de l'acoustique et de la mécanique des fluides. En utilisant la technique de la microfluidique afin de créer des assemblées de bulles bi-dimensionnelles, que nous excitons acoustiquement, nous étudions à la fois leur influence sur une onde sonore et sur le fluide présent à leur voisinage.Les bulles étant des résonateurs sub-longueur d'onde, nous montrons qu'une assemblée de micro-bulles va interagir avec une onde sonore de longueur d'onde bien plus importante que la taille des bulles individuelles. En proposant une méthode pour extraire la contribution des bulles au signal acoustique, nous montrons que leur résonance suit une loi légèrement modifiée par rapport à celle proposée par Minnaert pour des bulles sphériques.Nous avons également exploré le potentiel de ce système expérimental comme méta-matériau pour l'acoustique. Nous observons en effet une baisse de la transmission d'une onde sonore à travers ce matériau et ce, dans une gamme de fréquence située au-delà de la fréquence de résonance.Cette baisse de la transmission peut être ajustée à la fois en fréquence et en amplitude ce qui fait de ce système un méta-matériau adaptable dont les caractéristiques peuvent être facilement ajustées. / Because of the important compressibility of gas bubbles in water, inducing a very low resonance frequency, one can find interest in studying bubbles from an acoustic and a fluid mechanics point of view. Using microfluidics techniques in order to produce assemblies of acoustically driven bi-dimensional bubbles, we are studying their influence on both acoustic waves and the surrounding fluid.Bubbles being sub-wavelength resonators, we show that a micro-bubbles assembly interacts with acoustical waves which wavelengths that are substantially bigger than the bubbles size. Developing a way to extract bubbles contribution to the acoustic signal, we show that their resonance frequency follows a law slightly different from the one Minnaert had found for spherical bubbles. The impact of this medium on the acoustical wave has been studied and we show that a decrease in the acoustical transmission happens in a range of frequencies above the resonance. This decrease can be adjusted in amplitude and in frequency making our system an easily tunable metameterial.Because of the strong response of bubbles induced by acoustical waves, the bubbles surface oscillates with a great amplitude in the surrounding fluid. This oscillation, working together with a coupling present between the bubbles, can drive a strong steady streaming in the fluid. Systems of several bubbles are studied, and a theory is proposed in order to predict the flow they induce. The interaction between the streaming phenomenon and an external flow is also presented, showing that exclusion zones can be present under certain circumstances in these systems. These exclusion zones can be useful in micro-fluidics in order to trap particles or chemicals.

A clinical trial may have no subject (0%) or every subject (100%) developing the outcome of concern in either of the two comparison groups. This will cause a zero-cell in the four-cell (2x2) table of a trial using a binary outcome and make it impossible to estimate the odds ratio, a commonly used effect measure. A usual way to deal with this problem is to add 0.5 to each of the four cells in the 2x2 table. This is known as Haldane's approximation. In meta-analysis, Haldane's approximation can also be applied. Two approaches are possible: add 0.5 to only the trials with a zero cell or to all the trials in the meta-analysis. Little is known which approach is better when used in combination with different definitions of the odds ratio: the ordinary odds ratio, Peto's odds ratio and Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio. / A new formula is derived for converting Peto's odds ratio to the risk difference. The derived risk difference through the new method was then compared with the true risk difference and the risk difference derived by taking the Peto's odds ratio as the ordinary odds ratio. All simulations and analyses were conducted on the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). / Conclusions. The estimated confidence interval of a meta-analysis would mostly exclude the truth if an inappropriate correction method is used to deal with zero cells. Counter-intuitively, the combined result of a meta-analysis will be worse as the number of studies included becomes larger. Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio without applying Haldane's approximation is recommended in general for dealing with sparse data in meta-analysis. The ordinary odds ratio with adding 0.5 to only the trials with a zero cell can be used when the trials are heterogeneous and the odds ratio is close to 1. Applying Haldane's approximation to all trials in a meta-analysis should always be avoided. Peto's odds ratio without Haldane's approximation can always be considered but the new formula should be used for converting Peto's odds ratio to the risk difference. / In addition, the odds ratio needs to be converted to a risk difference to aid decision making. Peto's odds ratio is preferable in some situations and the risk difference is derived by taking Peto's odds ratio as an ordinary odds ratio. It is unclear whether this is appropriate. / Methods. For studying the validity of Haldane's approximation, we defined 361 types of meta-analysis. Each type of meta-analysis is determined by a unique combination of the risk in the two compared groups and thus provides a unique true odds ratio. The number of trials in a meta-analysis is set at 5, 10 and 50 and the sample size of each trial in a meta-analysis varies at random but is made sufficiently small so that at least one trial in a meta-analysis will have a zero-cell. The number of outcome events in a comparison group of a trial is generated at random according to the pre-determined risk for that group. One thousand homogeneous meta-analyses and one thousand heterogeneous meta-analyses are simulated for each type of meta-analysis. Two Haldane's approximation approaches in addition to no approximation are evaluated for three definitions of the odds ratio. Thus, nine combined odds ratios are estimated for each type of meta-analysis and are all compared with the true odds ratio. The percentage of meta-analyses with the 95% confidence interval including the true odds ratio is estimated as the main index for validity of the correction methods. / Objectives. (1) We conducted a simulation study to examine the validity of Haldane's approximation as applied to meta-analysis, and (2) we derived and evaluated a new method to covert Peto's odds ratio to the risk difference, and compared it with the conventional conversion method. / Results. By using the true ordinary odds ratio, the percentage of meta-analyses with the confidence interval containing the truth was lowest (from 23.2% to 53.6%) when Haldane's approximation was applied to all the trials regardless the definition of the odds ratios used. The percentage was highest with Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (95.0%) with no approximation applied. The validity of the corrections methods increases as the true odds ratio gets close to one, as the number of trials in a meta-analysis decreases, as the heterogeneity decreases and the trial size increases. / The proposed new formula performed better than the conventional method. The mean relative difference between the true risk difference and the risk difference obtained from the new formula is -0.006% while the mean relative difference between the true risk difference and the risk difference obtained from the conventional method is -10.9%. / The validity is relatively close (varying from 86.8% to 95.8%) when the true odds ratio is between 1/3 and 3 for all combinations of the correction methods and definitions of the odds ratio. However, Peto's odds ratio performed consistently best if the true Peto's odds ratio is used as the truth for comparison among the three definitions of the odds ratio regardless the correction method (varying from 88% to 98.7%). / Tam Wai-san Wilson. / "Jan 2006." / Adviser: J. L. Tang. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-11, Section: B, page: 6488. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-157). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

This diploma thesis presents a meta-analysis of the accumulated empirical evidence on the relationship between financial development and economic growth. So far, hundreds of studies have been written on the role of financial systems in economic growth; however, their results are ambiguous. This is supported both by theory and empirical research. In order to shed some light on the underlying relationship, narrative literature surveys have been conducted. Nevertheless, the authors of these surveys select representative studies for inclusion subjectively and thus build their results on only a limited set of information. Moreover, due to the nature of their analyses, they cannot systematically assess which factors influence the heterogeneity in reported findings or whether the results are driven by the desire to produce only positive and statistically significant results. Thus, the main focus of our work lies in investigating what the role of financial development in economic growth is, adjusted for possible publication selection, and to systematically explain the heterogeneity behind reported results. For this analysis a pool of available studies investigating the underlying relationship was collected. More specifically, our analysis takes into account data from 67 empirical studies with 1334...