Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of pressure ulcer care with prevention: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

To the Editor: Padula et al 1 address an important patient safety issue but the analysis contains assumptions that are not consistent with existing data. The untenable assumptions pertain to patient population, model structure, and the prevention program they evaluated. First, the authors simulated a patient cohort with an assumed average of 56 years of age. As we understand it, the burden of pressure ulcers is more pronounced in older patients. According to 1 set of national estimates, patients with hospitalacquired pressure ulcers are on average 71.9 years of age and overall, the mean age of all inpatients is 61.5 years. The model structure allows reverse staging, namely allowing a transition from stage 3 to 4 pressure ulcers to stage 1 to 2 pressure ulcers. According to a position statement on reverse staging by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, pressure ulcers heal to progressively more shallow depth, they do not replace lost muscle, subcutaneous fat, or dermis before they re-epithelialize. Also, stage 2 pressure ulcers (eg, a loss of partial thickness of skin appearing as an abrasion, blister, or shallow crater) are typically treated, whereas stage 1 (eg, persistent redness of skin) are often not reported reliably, and naturally healed. Consequently, these 2 stages are not typically considered as a single entity. The authors assumed an odds ratio for the prevention effect estimate on pressure ulcer incidence, citing a literature review of observational studies. A large body of clinical evidence from 52 randomized controlled trials included in a systematic review of prevention by Reddy et al in 2006 for which the authors cited was not perused at all as input to the analysis. We are interested in the association between the above assumptions and the projected cost-effectiveness. How could a prevention program of pressure ulcers in 1 single episode of hospitalization lead to a mortality rate of 15.1% with prevention and 29.5% without prevention, and a lifetime health benefit with prevention of approximately 2 QALYs?
Effect of cocaine use on bone marrow-mediated erythropoiesis.

OBJECTIVES Cocaine-mediated erythrocytosis is one of several effects that cocaine may have on hematologic indices; however, the precise mechanism by which cocaine induces peripheral erythrocytosis is not fully understood. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of the bone marrow to cocaine-mediated erythrocytosis. METHODS Differences in mean hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and reticulocyte counts were measured in consecutive cocaine-exposed and cocaine-unexposed patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain. Acute cocaine exposure (<3 hours) was confirmed by history and toxicologic analysis of the urine on all patients. Means were compared using independent-samples t-test and covariates were examined using multiple regression. RESULTS Seventy-nine patients met enrollment criteria. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly elevated in the cocaine-using subjects (13.5/39.8) compared with controls (12.6/37.7; p < 0.02). However, no corresponding elevation in reticulocyte count (p = 0.2) was observed. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that male chest pain patients were significantly more likely to be exposed to cocaine (OR 5.15 [95% CI = 1.77 to 15.3]) than females (p = 0.001), and all relative increases in hemoglobin concentration in the cocaine-exposed group were attributable to gender. Cocaine exposure was not significantly associated with reticulocyte count. Multivariate linear regression revealed that of demographic, medical, and substance use covariates, only a history of diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with an elevated reticulocyte count (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Acute cocaine exposure is not associated with erythrocytosis in younger ED patients with chest pain. The lack of an elevated reticulocyte count suggests that bone marrow does not contribute to any transient erythrocytosis that may occur.
Research on Customer Satisfaction,Attitude Loyalty,the Behavior Honest's Dissymmetry Antecedent

Loyalty customer is not always satisfied customer,as the same the one satisfied also doesn't necessarily directly present loyalty,because the satisfied and honest one isn't the same.Carrying on concept to turn to the loyalty just from the behavior angle in the meantime has limitation,if measure loyalty,not only can't discover loyalty's other hypothesis of relation,but also will cause the honest's definition get confusion.The article analyzes the dissymmetry relativity of the customer value,customer satisfaction,attitude loyalty and the behavior honest,clarifying the customer honest's direct source is the not-practical value of the product.
Cytokine regulation of murine leishmaniasis: interleukin 4 is not sufficient to mediate progressive disease in resistant C57BL/6 mice

Neutralization of interleukin 4 (IL-4) at the time of infection with Leishmania major allowed susceptible BALB/c mice to heal. Recombinant IL-4, however, had little effect on the course of L. major infection in resistant C57BL/6 mice, nor did coinfection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, despite marked elevation of endogenous IL-4 levels.
Does Exporting Improve Firms' CO₂ Emissions Intensity and Energy Intensity? Evidence from Japanese manufacturing

Using Japanese firm-level data, we investigate the firm-level relationship between export status and environmental performance in terms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions intensity and energy intensity. As in previous studies, we first find that exporting firms have significantly lower CO₂ emissions/energy intensity. We then investigate the effects of exporting on CO₂ emissions/energy intensity by employing the propensity score matching (PSM) method, and find that the effects significantly vary across industries. Whereas exporting significantly improves environmental performance in most industries, exporting actually increases CO₂ emissions/energy intensity in the iron & steel industry. This finding suggests that the effect of exporting varies across industries.
Cytokine Polymorphism and HLA Genotyping in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Related to Hippocampal Sclerosis.

Objective Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most common pathological substrate associated with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), where inflammatory processes are known to play an increasingly important role in the pathogenesis. To further investigate the role of the immune system, both cytokine gene polymorphisms and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping in patients with MTLE-HS were investigated. Methods The DNA samples of 100 patients with MTLE-HS and 201 healthy individuals were genotyped for cytokines (IL-6,IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ) and HLA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-SSP and SSO methods. The results were statistically analyzed in patient and healthy control groups and then according to the presence of febrile seizures (FS) in the patient group. Results Analysis of cytokine genotyping did not reveal any significant difference between patients with MTLE-HS and controls and patients with or without FS. However, the HLA DRB1*13 allele was found to be more frequent in the patient population after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion This study suggests the possible role of HLA in the pathogenesis of MTLE-HS, although it failed to show any relationship with the cytokine system. However, data regarding the role of HLA are still lacking, and further studies are necessary to verify our results.
Role of microfinance factors on the sustainability of women managed micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Kenya

Women play a crucial role in the economic development of communities but certain obstacles such as poverty, unemployment, low household income and societal discriminations mostly in developing countries have hindered their effective performance of that role. As such, most of them embark on entrepreneurial activities to support their families. It is discovered that women entrepreneurship could be an effective strategy for poverty reduction in a country; since women are the worst hit in such situation. However, it is discovered that women entrepreneurs, especially in developing countries, do not have easy access to microfinance factors for their entrepreneurial activity and as such have low business performance than their men counterparts, whereas the rate of their participation in the informal sector of the economy is higher than males and microfinance factors could have positive effect on enterprise performance. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of credit, savings, training and social capital on women entrepreneurs’ performance in Kenya. The study involves a survey using structured questionnaire and an in-depth interview to solicit responses from women entrepreneur and secondary data from microfinance institutions. The instruments were tested for content and construct validity and reliability during a pilot study. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using SPSS programs. The study found out that most women entrepreneurs do not have savings account and rather they usually use their little earnings for house hold purposes. In addition, the study found that most women have no access to loans as it is required that there must be signatory from their spouses for those who are married. The study also found that women entrepreneurs lack appropriate training to boost their entrepreneurial capacity, which is a key ingredient for getting social capital. The study recommended that since women entrepreneurs’ plays crucial role in the economic development, they should receive equal treatment as their counterparts and be allowed to make crucial decisions governing the operations of their businesses. Moreover, women should be encouraged to save their earnings however small. Microfinance institutions should play a vital role in empowering the women entrepreneurial. Key words: Microfinance, women, micro and small enterprises (MSEs), Kenya.
Meta-analysis of nitric oxide in acute respiratory distress syndrome: dosage?

Critical Care Medicine www.ccmjournal. org e605 The authors reply: We appreciate Baird and Smerling’s (1) interest in our article. They argue that lower doses of inhaled nitric oxide (NO), in the parts per billion (ppb) range, should be investigated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The appeal of this strategy rests on the assumption that lower doses of inhaled NO would still improve hypoxemia while minimizing the risk of clinically unappreciated toxicity. This is a plausible hypothesis, but we would like to point out two issues. First, this hypothesis is based on the concept that hypoxemic ARDS patients die of hypoxemia rather than with Meta-Analysis of Nitric Oxide in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Dosage?
Assessment of Customer's Satisfaction in E-commerce Services

The aim of this paper is to review various dimensions or measures of e-service quality in the context of online shopping. Based on the literature review an alternative online satisfaction assessment model has been proposed. The primary purpose of the paper is to study the relationships between the main dimensions of e-commerce quality and the e-customer satisfaction. By using correlation analysis the statistical significance and influence of proposed e-satisfaction factors has been indicated.
Use of partial least squares (PLS) in strategic management research: a review of four recent studies

Advances in causal modeling techniques have made it possible for researchers to simultaneously examine theory and measures. However, researchers must use these new techniques appropriately. In addition to dealing with the methodological concerns associated with more traditional methods of analysis, researchers using causal modeling approaches must understand their underlying assumptions and limitations. Most researchers are well equipped with a basic understanding of LISREL‐type models. In contrast, current familiarity with PLS in the strategic management area is low. The current paper reviews four recent studies in the strategic management area which use PLS. The review notes that the technique has been applied inconsistently, and at times inappropriately, and suggests standards for evaluating future PLS applications. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Influência da Participação no Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial (ISE) no Desempenho Financeiro das Empresas

This article aims to compare the performance, through certain financial indicators, including companies in the guide of the 500 biggest and best companies of Exame Magazine, forming part of the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) and companies who do not. The primary purpose of ISE is to see the return of a portfolio composed of shares of companies committed to social responsibility and corporate sustainability. This research is classified as being descriptive and largely qualitative. The financial indicators examined in this study were: sales (value and growth), Net Income, Profitability, Net Working Capital, Liquidity, General Debt, Long Term Debt, EBITA and Indicators of export. After the analysis we can conclude that the companies participating in the ISE have greater potential for sales and exports. Companies that are not part of the ISE have better financial performance.
Growth and grazing responses of two chloroplast-retaining dinoflagellates: effect of irradiance and prey species

The effect of irradiance on growth and grazing responses of 2 phagotrophic dinoflagel- lates, Gymnodinium gracilentum Campbell 1973 and Amphidinium poecilochroum Larsen 1985, was studied. While G. gracilentum belongs to the plankton, A. poecilochroum is a benthic species that pri- marily feeds on prey associated with surfaces. Both organisms are able to retain functional chloro- plasts from their prey. They are both able to grow heterotrophically in the dark, but growth rates increase in the light. The maximum growth and ingestion rates of G. gracilentum are much higher than those of A. poecilochroum. However, the growth rate of A. poecilochroum is saturated at a lower irradiance (~6 µmol photons m -2 s -1 ) than to G. gracilentum (~60 to 80 µmol photons m -2 s -1 ). Also, the irradiance required for saturation of growth for both dinoflagellates matched that found for the prey algae. The effect of light on ingestion and growth was also studied during the light and dark periods of the day. Ingestion rates of G. gracilentum were higher during the light period, while division rates were higher during the dark period. Offered a variety of prey items belonging to different algal classes, G. gracilentum selectively feeds on species belonging to the class Cryptophyceae.
Reminder: RMSSD and SD1 are identical heart rate variability metrics

Assessment of heart rate variability (HRV) is a common approach to examine cardiac autonomic nervous system modulation that has been employed in a variety of settings. Frequently, both the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and SD1, which is a Poincaré plot component, have been used to quantify short‐term heart rate variability. It is not typically appreciated, however, that RMSSD and SD1 are identical metrics of HRV. As a reminder to clinicians and researchers who use and study HRV, we show both empirically and mathematically that RMSSD and SD1 are identical metrics. Because the homology between RMSSD and SD1 is not commonly known, the inclusion of both measures has been reported in many recent publications. The inappropriate use of such redundant data may affect the interpretation of HRV studies. Muscle Nerve 56: 674–678, 2017
Enzyme‐Coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Efficient Antibacterial Agents In Vivo

Despite the fact that pathogenic infections are widely treated by antibiotics in the clinic nowadays, the increasing risk of multidrug‐resistance associated with abuse of antibiotics is becoming a major concern in global public health. The increased death toll caused by pathogenic bacterial infection calls for effective antibiotic alternatives. Lysozyme‐coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs⊂Lys) are reported as antibacterial agents that exhibit efficient antibacterial activity both in vitro and in vivo with low cytotoxicity and negligible hemolytic side effect. The Lys corona provides multivalent interaction between MSNs⊂Lys and bacterial walls and consequently raises the local concentration of Lys on the surface of cell walls, which promotes hydrolysis of peptidoglycans and increases membrane‐perturbation abilities. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of MSNs⊂Lys is fivefold lower than that of free Lys in vitro. The antibacterial efficacy of MSNs⊂Lys is evaluated in vivo by using an intestine‐infected mouse model. Experimental results indicate that the number of bacteria surviving in the colon is three orders of magnitude lower than in the untreated group. These natural antibacterial enzyme‐modified nanoparticles open up a new avenue for design and synthesis of next‐generation antibacterial agents as alternatives to antibiotics.
Supplier Satisfaction: the Concept and a Measurement System : a study to define the supplier satisfaction elements and usage as a management tool

There is no commonly agreed theory available to define supplier satisfaction and to measure it. Qualitative research is the key to find the definition and metrics for supplier satisfaction. It gives the possibility to refer behaviours, interactions between companies and organizational functioning. This research has studied supplier satisfaction measurement and how it could be used as a management tool. Supplier Satisfaction Survey is a management tool for a company to improve and further develop its internal and external processes within its supply chain. The aim is to measure the quality of relationship between the supplier and 'the company' in terms of how the supplier views 'the company' both in business and communicationrelated aspects. The results highlight the areas where the supplier and 'the company' have together invested resources to improve processes but also to identify areas that can still be improved. Survey results are also inputs for the strategic planning of the company as well as everyday operations and business
Changing Strategies in Mature Industries: a Case Study

States that while mature industries are a major part of the US economy, little empirical information is available on competitive strategies appropriate in the mature environment. Discusses, via a case study of the US hardwood lumber industry, the idea that cost‐based strategies based on Overall Cost Leadership are not sufficient for mature basic industries. Concludes that the results offer understanding of the strategic changes which can occur during the maturity stage of the industry life cycle and recommends possible ways of competing in this environment.
The persistence of founder influence: management, ownership, and performance effects at initial public offering

The purpose of this research is to apply a conceptual framework to questions of how, why, and when founders participate in the firms that they establish and to empirically test for the persistent influence of the founder on the firm after start‐up. A definition of the term ‘founder’ is proposed. Empirical tests compare firms with founder CEOs to those with nonfounder CEOs to determine whether governance and ownership relationships are distinguishable at initial public offering (IPO). In addition, investor reaction to founder‐led firms at IPO is tested. Results suggest that founder influence does persist in governance and ownership arrangements and that the stock market reaction to founder‐led firms is higher than for the comparison group, relative to accounting value. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
C5a receptor‐deficient dendritic cells promote induction of Treg and Th17 cells

C5a is a proinflammatory mediator that has recently been shown to regulate adaptive immune responses. Here we demonstrate that C5a receptor (C5aR) signaling in DC affects the development of Treg and Th17 cells. Genetic ablation or pharmacological targeting of the C5aR in spleen‐derived DC results in increased production of TGF‐β leading to de novo differentiation of Foxp3+ Treg within 12 h after co‐incubation with CD4+ T cells from DO11.10/RAG2−/− mice. Stimulation of C5aR−/− DC with OVA and TLR2 ligand Pam3CSK4 increased TGF‐β production and induced high levels of IL‐6 and IL‐23 but only minor amounts of IL‐12 leading to differentiation of Th cells producing IL‐17A and IL‐21. Th17 differentiation was also found in vivo after adoptive transfer of CD4+ Th cell into C5aR−/− mice immunized with OVA and Pam3CSK4. The altered cytokine production of C5aR−/− DC was associated with low steady state MHC class II expression and an impaired ability to upregulate CD86 and CD40 in response to TLR2. Our data suggest critical roles for C5aR in Treg and Th17‐cell differentiation through regulation of DC function.
Silencing Boko Haram: Mobile Phone Blackout and Counterinsurgency in Nigeria’s Northeast region

In the summer of 2013, the Nigerian military, as part of its counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram insurgents, shut down GSM mobile telephony in three northeast states – Adamawa, Borno and Yobe. This article explores the rationale, impact and citizens’ opinion of the mobile phone blackout. It draws on focus group discussions with local opinion leaders and in-depth personal interviews with military and security insiders, as well as data of Boko Haram incidences before, during and after the blackout from military sources and conflict databases. It argues that, although the mobile phone shutdown was ‘successful’ from a military- tactical point of view, it angered citizens and engendered negative opinions toward the state and new emergency policies. While citizens developed various coping and circumventing strategies, Boko Haram evolved from an open network model of insurgency to a closed centralized system, shifting the center of its operations to the Sambisa Forest. This fundamentally changed the dynamics of the conflict. The shutdown demonstrated, among others, that while ICTs serve various desirable purposes for developing states, they will be jettisoned when their use challenges the state’s legitimacy and raison d'etre, but not without consequences.
Short circuit output protection of MMC in voltage source control mode

The MMC operated in Current Source Mode (CSM) with branch current control shows excellent fault limiting capability. With proper design, the same capability is achieved in Voltage Source Mode (VSM). The key is combining the VSM and CSM controls and having same state variables. Seamless transition between CSM and VSM is ensured by the change of references triggered either by the user or by internal limiters. Experimental results in the full scale 1.25 MW demonstrator proved that the MMCs can limit short circuit currents without turning off even when it's shorted at its terminals.
Intergenerational Continuity of Substance Use

Guided by rigorous methodology and a life-course perspective, the goal of this research is to address a gap in current knowledge on whether, when, and how strongly intergenerational continuity of substance use exists when examining age-equivalent and developmentally specific stages of the life course. Annual self-reported substance use measures were analyzed from a prospective, longitudinal, and nationally representative sample that originally consisted of 1,725 respondents and their families, who were then interviewed over a 27-year period from 1977 to 2004. Findings from multilevel random-intercept regression models provide support for intergenerational continuity when substance use occurs in emerging adulthood but not when limited to adolescence. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.