Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Thesis statement on t.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 68-74).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 1999. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [117]-142).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1997. / Thesis statement on t.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.

Background: Chinese populations have been reported to have a higher stroke incidence as well as different stroke epidemiology compared with white populations. However, reliable comparisons have been precluded by a lack of methodologically robust studies. I aimed to systematically evaluate the incidence of stroke, the distribution of its main types/subtypes, and risk factor distributions among stroke types/subtypes in Chinese, and to compare these with data from white populations. Methods: I performed a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies conducted since 1990 which had data on (1) incidence of stroke, (2) pathological types of stroke or ischaemic stroke subtypes, and (3) frequency of risk factors among pathological types of stroke or ischaemic stroke (IS) subtypes in Chinese populations, and in white populations for comparison. I calculated age-standardized stroke incidence and the proportions of each pathological type and ischaemic subtype. For each risk factor, I calculated study-specific and pooled odds ratios (ORs) using a random effects model for intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) versus IS, for each IS subtype versus other subtypes, and for overall IS patients, comparing findings for Chinese versus Whites. In addition, I conducted individual patient analyses of data from the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) Stroke Registry, which consecutively recruited 6675 acute stroke patients from 2006-2011, comparing risk factor profiles among stroke types and subtypes and using logistic regression to adjust for potential confounding factors. Results: From my systematic reviews, I found a younger onset of stroke, a slightly higher overall stroke incidence and higher proportion of ICH in Chinese versus white populations. Although the overall proportion of lacunar infarct appeared higher in Chinese from hospital-based studies than white populations, confirming the different distributions of ischaemic subtypes will need further comparable population-based studies. In my meta-analyses comparing risk factors for ICH versus IS, in Chinese - but not Whites – hypertension (HTN) and alcohol intake were significantly more frequent, while mean age was lower in ICH than IS. In IS, the overall prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol intake were similar between Chinese and white IS patients, whereas hypercholesterolaemia, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) were less common in Chinese IS patients. As for IS subtypes, the relative frequencies of risk factors were mostly qualitatively similar (although different in size) in Chinese and white populations. Compared with other ischaemic subtypes: large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) strokes were associated with diabetes; cardioembolic (CE) strokes were associated with AF and IHD; small vessel disease (SVD) strokes or lacunar strokes were associated with hypertension and diabetes. Analyses of NTUH individual patient data showed that HTN and alcohol intake were independent risk factors for ICH versus IS in a Chinese population in Taiwan, regardless of age, sex, or other risk factors. The results were consistent with my previous risk factor meta-analyses for ICH versus IS. In IS analyses, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, AF, and hyperlipidaemia in overall IS patients based in Taiwan were higher than the pooled results in my risk factor meta-analysis for IS for all Chinese populations including mainland China. In terms of risk factor associations with IS subtypes, the findings after controlling for potential confounders were mostly close to my previous meta-analysis results with the exception of stronger associations of hypertension and diabetes with SVD (lacunar) strokes. Conclusion: I have shown a younger onset of stroke, a higher overall stroke incidence, an around twofold higher proportion of ICH and different distribution of IS subtypes, as well as some differences in risk factor distributions among pathological types of stroke and IS subtypes in Chinese compared with white populations. My results help to inform us of different stroke mechanisms in different populations, to guide further well-designed research in this area, and to direct better strategies for stroke prevention in Chinese populations.

xiv, 95 p. / I examine whether recently required Risk Factor update disclosures in quarterly reports provide investors with timely information regarding potential future negative outcomes. Specifically, I examine whether Risk Factor updates in 10-Q filings are associated with negative abnormal returns at the time the updates are disclosed and whether quarterly updates are followed by negative earnings shocks. I find that firms presenting updates to their Risk Factor disclosures have lower abnormal returns around the filing date of the 10-Q relative to firms without updates, although I find little evidence to suggest that the strength of this relationship is positively associated with the level of information asymmetry between managers and investors. Using analyst forecasts and a cross-sectional model to forecast earnings as measures of expected earnings prior to the release of Risk Factor updates, I find that firms with updates to their Risk Factors section have lower future unexpected earnings. I also find that firms with Risk Factor updates are more likely to experience future extreme negative earnings forecast errors. These findings suggest that the recent disclosure requirement mandated by the SEC was successful in generating timely disclosure of bad news. However, I also find some evidence that firms with updates to their Risk Factors section have stronger future positive performance shocks relative to firms without Risk Factor Updates, consistent with firms that disclose Risk Factor updates also having greater upside potential. / Committee in charge: Dr. Steven Matsunaga, Chairperson; Dr. Kyle Peterson, Member; Dr. Angela Davis, Member; Dr. Trudy Ann Cameron, Outside Member

Tolstoy, in ‘Death and the meaning of life’, says: “The truth was that life was meaningless. It was as though I had just been living and walking along, and had come to an abyss, where I saw clearly that there was nothing ahead but perdition. And it was impossible to stop and go back, impossible to shut my eyes, in order that I might not see that there was nothing ahead but suffering and imminent death, complete annihilation (Dickenson, 2001). Suicide act does not only leave family members, relatives and acquaintances shocked, but leaves feelings of anger and resentment, combined with exaggerated guilt. Suicide continues to be a pressing public health problem in South Africa. Suicide is a complete and permanent withdrawal from interaction and therefore a valid field of sociological study. The aim of the study is to explore the primary causal factors of suicide in Tembisa. A qualitative methodology is used to understand the life events, experiences and beliefs of people who attempted suicide. The focus of the research is on people who received counselling at Tembisa clinics for attempted suicide. A non-probability, purposive sample is utilized to seek information. Five respondents are interviewed. An interview schedule was formulated by the researcher. An interview schedule formulated from literature is utilized to create consistency in face-to-face interviews. The in-depth interviews facilitate exploration. Data is gathered by means of a literature review, field notes and audiotape transcribed by the researcher. Analysis of the data is done manually according to a schedule. The schedule is developed according to coding categories that are identified when working with raw data. Raw data is given to an independent coder for verification. The information gathered from the raw data is analysed and used to identify themes, which are offered as results. An extensive literature control is conducted, to compare and contrast the findings; and for the purpose of validity. From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions are made. Methodological conclusions indicate the effectiveness of using a qualitative methodology and face-to-face interviews in exploring the question under study. The theoretical conclusions indicate the respondents’ understanding of suicide. Recommendations in terms of future research are drawn from research process and the context of the study ensures the link between results and conclusions, and aims and objectives. The research indicates multifaceted and multi-factorial aspects related to suicide. The understanding of suicide shows a continued struggle for hope. / Dr. Emmarentie Oliphant

The Tuberculosis infection rate has been generally escalating due to poor health conditions in the Gweru district of Zimbabwe. The study therefore seeks to identify the risk factors that affect TB treatment in the Gweru district. A cross sectional study was carried out in which a questionnaire was employed for data collection on 113 respondents. A binary logistic regression model was employed for data analysis. A total of 98 TB patients were interviewed: [50 respondents (44.0%) had Multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis and 63 respondents (56.0%) had general Tuberculosis). Before being enrolled into the study, an informed consent form was given to each of the participants. The data was then put into excel and later transferred to SPSS for analysis. Out of the 14 potential risk factors of TB treatment, only 6 variables (side effects, gender, alcohol use, HIV status, smoking during the treatment period and having been pre-exposed to TB drugs) were statistically significant in their association with treatment failure.