Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Private payer telehealth reimbursement in the United States.

BACKGROUND Significant information is available about government-reimbursed telehealth services such as Medicare and Medicaid across the United States. Although currently 20 states mandate reimbursement for telehealth services and some private insurers have voluntarily covered those services in other states, relatively little is known about telehealth provider experiences with reimbursement from private insurance payers. MATERIALS AND METHODS To investigate this, the American Telemedicine Association's (ATA's) Telemental Health Special Interest Group (SIG), the Policy Group, and the Business and Finance SIG, with the help of ATA staff, conducted a national private payer reimbursement online survey in 2012 using Survey Monkey™ (Palo Alto, CA) ( www.surveymonkey.com/ ). RESULTS Survey responses were received from respondents in 46 of the 50 states. The survey found that telehealth services are being reimbursed by private payers but that progress in reimbursement has been relatively slow compared with earlier surveys. CONCLUSIONS Key findings from this study were that government payers as well as several major private payers are highly influential in payment policies for telehealth private payers, that private payers have administrative rules regarding telehealth reimbursement that are barriers to services and reimbursement, and that some providers would benefit from being better informed about billing and coding for telehealth services and how to advocate for telehealth services reimbursement.
Physicochemical Fractionation of Extracellular Cornea-Damaging Proteases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Fractionation of the culture supernatant fluids of a cornea-virulent strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by ammonium sulfate precipitation, diafiltration, isoelectric focusing, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, and sucrose density gradient centrifugation failed to separate the rabbit cornea-damaging activity and the in vitro protease activity of the preparations. Three proteases having similar molecular weights (approximately 20,000) and isoelectric points of approximately 4.6, 5.8, and 8.8 were obtained free of detectable amounts of other known extracellular pseudomonal enzymes. Heating a mixture of the three proteases for 15 min at 80 C resulted in complete loss of protease and cornea-damaging activities. The sterile culture filtrate of a nonproteolytic but lethal toxin-producing strain of P. aeruginosa did not contain cornea-damaging activity. Cultivation of the proteolytic strain in broth containing 4.7% ammonium sulfate yielded a culture supernatant fluid free of protease and cornea-damaging activities. The results obtained support the conclusion that a cornea-virulent strain of P. aeruginosa can produce, in vitro, at least three different extracellular proteases capable of eliciting rapid and extensive damage to rabbit corneas.
High-Efficiency Wireless Power and Force Transfer for a Micro-Robot Using a Multiaxis AC/DC Magnetic Coil

In this paper, a high-efficiency wireless power transfer (WPT) and force transfer system for a micro-robot is proposed. Two-coil systems are employed to power the micro-robot. The two-coil parts are ac and dc, and each consists of an external source and a load coil inside the micro-robot. In the ac coil part, the external source coil generates a time-varying magnetic field that is received by the ac load coil in the micro-robot as electrical energy. In the dc coil part, the external source coil is used as an electromagnet, which is used to generate propulsion force for the micro-robot. Through the proposed system, both the efficiency of electrical energy transfer and the generation of propulsion force can be significantly improved. The feasibility of the proposed approach was verified through simulation and experimentation results.
'It's not as Easy as just Saying 20 Minutes a Day': Exploring Teacher and Principal Experiences Implementing a Provincial Physical Activity Policy

In 2005, the Ontario Ministry of Education implemented the Daily Physical Activity (DPA) Policy to provide every elementary student with at least 20 minutes of sustained moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity each day. This exploratory research sought to understand the factors shaping DPA implementation in schools and classrooms, from the perspective of elementary school teachers and principals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Ontario grade 1-8 teachers (n=14) and elementary school principals (n=5) regarding DPA implementation, facilitators, barriers, perceived outcomes, and suggestions for change. The majority of participants stated that students were not meeting the requirements daily. However, participants shared activities and techniques for incorporating physical activity into instructional time. Facilitators and barriers to implementation were organized using the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework in order to identify factors acting at four environmental levels. The facilitators and barriers identified indicate that staff and resources within individual schools strongly influence implementation. Although many positive outcomes for students were identified, increased fitness was not mentioned, highlighting additional benefits above physical health. The findings suggest DPA is not being implemented as intended, as school staff are finding it difficult to meet the time and intensity requirements. Policy makers must consider the local school environment and the roles of school staff when designing school-based health policies.
Ecological modernisation and institutional reflexivity: environmental reform in the late modern age.

In contrast to the early 1970s, in the early 1990s the environment does not seem to wither away from public and political agendas and even seems to be entering the ‘economic agenda’. It can be hypothesised that the environment is on its way to becoming a crucial factor in the widely discussed transformation of modernity. To what extent do environmental considerations and interests contribute ‐ or may contribute in the future ‐ to the restructuring of production? Ecological modernisation theory is a valuable starting‐point for analysing the contemporary reflexive reorganisation and transformation of production along ecological criteria. The discretion on the basic tenets of this theory emphasises the major differences with competing theories on environment and modernity as well as some of the central points of criticism raised against it.
Intercultural Attitudes Predict Favorable Study Abroad Expectations of U.S. College Students

This study focused on identifying intercultural attitudes associated with favorable expectations about participation in study abroad programs. A total of 282 U.S. 1st-year college students completed a questionnaire that included measures of ethnocentrism, intercultural communication apprehension, language interest and competence, prejudice, intolerance of ambiguity, and expectations about study abroad. Stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that favorable expectations about study abroad were best predicted by levels of language interest, followed by low ethnocentrism and low intercultural communication apprehension. Female participants were significantly more likely than male participants to have positive expectations of study abroad and indicated significantly less ethnocentrism and intercultural communication apprehension and greater language interest. These findings suggest that interest in international study programs may be facilitated in part by interventions addressing intergroup attitudes as well as programs that help students understand the value of language study.
Gender Differences in the Dimensionality of Social Support1

Although theoretical frameworks have been developed and research has been conducted in the area of social support, little attention has been given to the influence of gender on the dimensionality of social support. In addition, much of the research on social support has been conducted solely with student samples. In the present study, two samples (students, N = 304, and working adults, N = 301) completed a social support questionnaire. The survey instrument measured four types of social support (appraisal, instrumental, informational, and emotional) from four different sources (supervisor, coworker, spouse, and friends). For the student sample, women reported higher levels of social support than men on most dimensions (i.e., 11 of 16 dimensions), with 5 yielding statistically significant differences. For the sample of working adults, men reported higher levels of social support on most of the dimensions (i.e., 10 of 16), with 5 representing statistically significant differences. Differences in results between the two samples are discussed.
Tight association of the human Mel(1a)-melatonin receptor and G(i): precoupling and constitutive activity.

If stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells, the human Mel(1a)-melatonin receptor activates G(i)-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive signaling pathways, i.e., inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of phospholipase Cbeta; the latter on condition that G(q) is coactivated. The antagonist luzindole blocks the effects of melatonin and acts as an inverse agonist at the Mel(1a) receptor in both intact cells and isolated membranes. This suggests that the Mel(1a) receptor is endowed with constitutive activity, a finding confirmed on reconstitution of the Mel(1a) receptor with G(i). Because the receptor density is in the physiological range, constitutive activity is not an artifact arising from overexpression of the receptor. In addition, the following findings indicate that the Mel(1a) receptor forms a very tight complex with G(i) which can be observed both in the presence and absence of an agonist. 1) In intact cells and in membranes, high-affinity agonist binding is resistant to the destabilizing effect of guanine nucleotides. 2) The ability to bind an agonist with high affinity is preserved even after exposure of the cells to pertussis toxin, because a fraction of G(i) is inaccessible to the toxin in cells expressing Mel(1a) receptors (but not the A(1)-adenosine receptor, another G(i)-coupled receptor). 3) An antiserum directed against the Mel(1a) receptor coprecipitates G(i) even in the absence of an agonist. We therefore conclude that the Mel(1a) receptor is tightly precoupled and that its constitutive activity may play a role in pacing the biological clock, an action known to involve the melatonin receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
eroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in North-eastern Atlantic harbor eal ( Phoca vitulina vitulina ) and grey seal ( Halichoerus grypus )

Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were determined in serum samples from 47 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and 56 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) from the Atlantic coasts of United Kingdom and France. Antibodies to T. gondii assayed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) were found in 14 (13.6%; IC95%: 7.0–20.2) of 103 seals tested, with titres of 1:25
Polarization sensitivity in two species of cuttlefish – Sepia plangon (Gray 1849) and Sepia mestus (Gray 1849) – demonstrated with polarized optomotor stimuli

SUMMARY The existence of polarization sensitivity (PS), most likely resulting from the orthogonal arrangement of microvilli in photoreceptors, has been proposed in cephalopods for some time, although it has rarely been examined behaviourally. Here, we tested the mourning cuttlefish, Sepia plangon, and the reaper cuttlefish, Sepia mestus, for polarization sensitivity using a large-field optomotor stimulus containing polarization contrast. Polaroid filter drums with stripes producing alternating e-vectors were rotated around free-moving animals. Polarized optomotor responses were displayed, and these responses were similar to those performed in response to a black-and-white, vertically-striped drum, whereas no responses were displayed to a plain polarizing control drum producing just a vertical e-vector. This indicates that the animals are able to see the contrast between adjacent stripes in the polarizing drum. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of functional polarization sensitivity in cuttlefish.
The coronal structure of Speedy Mic - I. A densely packed prominence system beyond corotation

We present new observations of the prominence system on the K3 dwarf Speedy Mic (BO Mic, HD 197890). Using an improved technique to track the absorption features in Hα we find a very active prominence system with approximately 10 prominences on the observable hemisphere per rotation. From a total of 25 prominences, we find an average axial distance of (2.85 ± 0.54) R ∗ which is twice the corotation radius above the stellar surface. We discuss the consequences of these observations on the nature of the supporting magnetic structures. Two consecutive nights, with complete phase coverage, combined with a further night after a three-night gap allow us to study the evolution of the prominence system on two different time-scales. Several of the prominences have counterparts at similar phases on consecutive nights. During this interval, many prominences show evidence for evolution in their heights and phases of observation. Five nights (13 rotation cycles) later, we recover many prominences at approximately the same phases. Whilst individual prominences change axial distances or appear/reappear from night-to-night, the underlying prominence supporting structures appear to be stable over as many as 13 stellar rotations. Ke yw ords: line: profiles ‐ methods: data analysis ‐ stars: activity ‐ circumstellar matter ‐ stars: individual: Speedy Mic (HD 197890) ‐ stars: late-type.
School disengagement and ‘structural options’ Narrative illustrations on an analytical approach

The purpose of the present article is to outline and illustrate an analytical approach that accentuates the biographically complex processes inhering within early school leaving transitions. The organizing device of ‘structural option’ (Stones, 2001) is introduced, which brings into focus the role and interplay of types of ‘structures’ (in a structurationist sense) in the decision-making processes underlying school exit. ‘Structural option’ combines two important dimensions in influencing young people's choices: cognitive/emotional and relational/interactional structures. This study shows that disengagement from school is more than a straightforward reading that might suggest lack of positive disposition towards education, but rather is born out of powerful interactions across these two main structural dimensions. As an analytical construct, structural options alert us to the importance of analyzing young people's disengagements from mainstream school in terms of social relationships, power, and emotions. While the article is based on empirical findings from an Irish context, the intention is that its scope extends more broadly to qualitative data analysis of school exit transitions within other contextual settings. The empirical focus derives from the interview narratives with fourteen participants attending a second chance educational initiative in Ireland, known as the Youthreach programme. While most of the young people occupy the status of ‘early school leaver’, closer inspection of their structural options shows that their pathways to early school exit and school disengagement (for those who completed) comprise quite differing structural combinations. As researchers, appreciation of such combinations can help us understand the justifications young people use in their decision-making.
Spatial Visualization: Athletic Skills and Sex Differences

189 college students completed a test measuring spatial visualization and were classified by sex and by having high or low skill in sports demanding either high or low decision-making from manipulation of visual images. The latter classifications were facilitated by subjects' self-reports and other questionnaire data. The general findings indicated a consistent interaction of sex by skill suggesting that the development of spatial visualization may be more highly related to development of sport skills involving manipulation of visual images by women than men. Analysis of variance yielded a main effect for sex, given higher spatial visualization scores by men. However, when academic ability and coursework background were statistically controlled, sex differences in spatial visualization scores were not observed in analysis of covariance.
Palliative and end-of-life care issues in chronic kidney disease

Purpose of reviewPatients with progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD) have high morbidity, mortality, and symptom burden. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) often contribute to these burdens and should be considered when providing recommendations for care. This review aims to summarize recent literature relevant to the provision of palliative and end-of-life care for patients with progressive CKD and specifically highlights issues relevant to those with CVD and CHF. Recent findingsDialysis may not benefit older, frail patients with progressive CKD, especially those with other comorbidities. Patients managed conservatively (i.e., without dialysis) may live as long as patients who elect to start dialysis, with better preservation of function and quality of life and with fewer acute care admissions. Decisions regarding dialysis initiation should be made on an individual basis, keeping in mind each patient's goals, comorbidities, and underlying functional status. Conservative management of progressive kidney disease is frequently not offered but is likely to benefit many older, frail patients with comorbidities such as CHF and CVD. SummaryA palliative approach to the care of many patients with progressive CKD is essential to ensuring they receive appropriate quality care.
Islamic work ethic: a critical review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a coherent but critical treatment of Islamic work ethic (IWE). It explores the nature of IWE in the context of cultural and political evolution and offers a cultural and religious perspective pertaining to organization and management.Design/methodology/approach – It briefly investigates the economic and cultural conditions that facilitate the emergence of work ethics and the centrality of trade in Islamic culture. The paper, then, reviews the pillars and foundations of IWE and investigates various empirical studies conducted in various countries.Findings – IWE has economic as well as moral and social dimensions. These along with basic elements of IWE seem to provide the faithful with a sense of worthiness and strengthen organizational commitment and continuity. That is, work is viewed not as an end in itself, but as a means to foster personal growth and social relations.Practical implications – Offers managers and consults various avenues on how to design .
[Prevalence and risk factors of pseudoexfoliation syndrome in institutionalized geriatric patients in Navarra].

PURPOSE To establish the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PSX) in an institutionalized geriatric population in Navarra. To study the risk factors for the development of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS 268 nursing home residents were studied, with a mean age of 81 years. The presence of PSX material in the anterior segment was best appreciated by slit lamp after pupillary dilation. We assessed its association with 13 ocular factors and 14 systemic factors. RESULTS We found 10.1% (27) of subjects with PSX, 19 cases were unilateral and 8 bilateral. The frequency detected in subjects from Navarra was 7.9% versus 21.2% in subjects from other regions (p=0.02), although the significance was lost after multivariant logistic regression. The PSX was 3.5 times more frequent in patients suffering heart failure (p=0.01). The PSX was associated with anti-glaucomatous treatment, which multiplies the risk by 3.2 times (p=0.02); patients affected with age-related geographic macular atrophy had a 2.6 fold increased frequency (p=0.03), both after adjusting for age remained significant. We did not find any association between the PSX and other systemic factors (systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus) or ocular factors (senile arc and cataract). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of PSX syndrome seems to be lower in an institutionalized population in Navarra than in other Spanish regions. The correlation with heart failure and age-related geographic macular atrophy suggests the possibility of a vascular role. The epidemiological association with increased IOP is confirmed.
Prevalence of Women’s Violent and Nonviolent Offending Behavior

This study assessed women’s violent and nonviolent offending, using data from two online student samples (men and women: n = 344), reporting on either being a perpetrator and witness (women) or being a victim and witness (men). A comprehensive measure of general violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), and nonviolent offending was collected. From women’s self-reports, 59.9% reported perpetrating general violent offenses, 58.1% reported perpetrating IPV offenses and 85.6% reported perpetrating nonviolent offenses. Correlations showed that women were involved in a variety of offenses and demonstrated the interrelatedness of general violence and IPV, and of violent and nonviolent offenses. Regression analysis confirmed the close association between partner and general violence, and found that drug offenses were also related to the former and criminal damage to the latter. Overall, the prevalence data demonstrated women’s involvement in all types of offending, and a similar pattern of offending was supported across data sources. Limitations of the sampling method and measures are discussed.
The Work-Life Balance I New gendered relationships in Spain: the other in the care triangle

Spanish couples have found new ways of organising their productive and reproductive lives within the domestic sphere. The increasing role of women in the labour market provides the basis for these new domestic structures, yet few social policies have been advanced to create greater compatibility between the worlds of work and home. Mothers of the new generation have to think of strategies to reconcile their labour and family life, with the employment of domestic service emerging as one of the most significant alternatives in recent years. On the other hand, immigration has suffered many changes, the most important being its increase and its feminisation. This is the result of the transformations experienced by the countries of origin of the migrants, including free-movers from the European Union, as well as the consequence of the creation of a new demand for workers in the receiver countries. Female employers and domestic employees meet each other in one ‘home’ – that of the working Spanish mother – now characterised by ethnic or cultural diversity and the permanent negotiation of individual, familial and group identities. The article analyses the discourse of working mothers who employ domestic service to care for their children, as well as the discourse of female migrant/immigrant domestic workers from Eastern Europe, North Africa and Latin America.
The Role of Effort–Reward Imbalance for Reservists on a Military Deployment

The present study extended the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model (Siegrist, 1996b), first by differentiating between separate reward components, second by including intrinsic reward, and third by additionally predicting a non-health outcome (i.e., turnover intention) in a military context. Regression analyses of 789 reservists found financial and esteem reward to moderate the impact of extrinsic effort on depressive symptoms, whereas only financial reward moderated the effort turnover intentions relationship. Results supported the usefulness of the extended ERI model in the military context. Relevant areas for future research on the military effort–reward perspective are discussed.