Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Open Versus Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation Using the Sextant System in the Treatment of Traumatic Thoracolumbar Fractures

Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients who were posterior stabilized without graft fusion. Using the Sextant system, 22 patients underwent minimally invasive short-segment 4-pedicle screw fixation (MIF4) and 39 patients underwent minimally invasive short-segment combined with intermediate screws fixation, that is, 6-pedicle screw fixation (MIF6). The conventional open posterior short-segment 4-pedicle screw fixation (OPF4) technique was used in 39 patients. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using the Sextant system in the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar fractures compared with the conventional open posterior short-segment pedicle screw fixation technique. Summary of Background Data: To the best of our knowledge, the clinical and radiographic outcomes of MIF4, MIF6 with polyaxial pedicle screws, and OPF4 with monoaxial pedicle screws have not been compared in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Methods: Visual analogue scores (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, clinical outcomes including surgical blood loss, operation time, and postoperative hospital stay, sagittal Cobb angle, vertebral body angle, and anterior height of the fractured vertebrae were compared among the 3 groups. Results: Significant postoperative improvements, relative to baseline, were observed in the VAS and ODI scores (P<0.05 each). There were no significant differences between the MIF4 and MIF6 groups in clinical outcomes, including surgical blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, VAS, and ODI scores (P>0.05 each). However, there were significant differences between both MIF groups and the OPF group (P<0.05 each). Significant improvements were observed in the sagittal Cobb angle, vertebral body angle, and anterior height of the fractured vertebrae (P<0.05 each). During follow-up, however, the correction loss of the sagittal Cobb angle was smallest in the MIF6 group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Minimally invasive posterior stabilization using the Sextant system resulted in reduced injury compared with the open surgery, during both the internal fixation surgery and the implant removal surgery. Percutaneous screw fixation through the pedicle of the fractured vertebra is superior to the conventional OPF4 technique in correcting kyphotic deformities, and can be performed without any extra procedures.
Longitudinal Development of Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics Within Academy Rugby League Players

Abstract Till, K, Jones, B, Darrall-Jones, J, Emmonds, S, and Cooke, C. Longitudinal development of anthropometric and physical characteristics within academy rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res 29(6): 1713–1722, 2015—The purpose of this study was to evaluate the annual and long-term (i.e., 4 years) development of anthropometric and physical characteristics in academy (16–20 years) rugby league players. Players were assessed at the start of preseason over a 6-year period and were required to be assessed on consecutive years to be included in the study (Under 16–17, n = 35; Under 17–18, n = 44; Under 18–19, n = 35; Under 19–20, n = 16). A subset of 15 players were assessed for long-term changes over 4 years (Under 16–19). Anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of 4 skinfolds) and physical (10- and 20-m sprint, 10-m momentum, vertical jump, yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1, 1 repetition maximum [1RM] squat, bench press, and prone row) assessments were collected. Paired t-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant annual (e.g., body mass, U16 = 76.4 ± 8.4, U17 = 81.3 ± 8.3 kg; p < 0.001, d = 0.59) and long-term (e.g., vertical jump, Under 16 = 44.1 ± 3.8, Under 19 = 52.1 ± 5.3 cm; p < 0.001, d = 1.74) changes in anthropometric and physical characteristics. Greater percentage changes were identified between the Under 16–17 age categories compared with the other ages (e.g., 1RM squat, U16–17 = 22.5 ± 19.5 vs. U18–19 = 4.8 ± 6.4%). Findings demonstrate the annual and long-term development of anthropometric and physical characteristics in academy rugby league players establishing greater changes occur at younger ages upon the commencement of a structured training program within an academy. Coaches should understand the long-term development of physical characteristics and use longitudinal methods for monitoring and evaluating player performance and development.
DETERMINANTS OF STAFF JOB SATISFACTION AND DISSATISFACTION IN NURSING HOMES

Background: Job satisfaction is important for nursing home staff and nursing home management, as it is associated with absenteeism, turnover, and quality of care. However, we know little about factors associated with job satisfaction and dissatisfaction for nursing home workers. Methods: In this investigation, we use data from 251 caregivers to examine: what job satisfaction domains are important and what characteristics of these workers are associated with job satisfaction. Results: We find that, overall nursing home caregivers are satisfied with the work and coworkers, but are less satisfied with promotional opportunities, superiors, and compensation. Nurse aides appear particularly sensitive to pay and promotion, whereas other staff appear more sensitive to co-workers and promotion. Of significance, we also find that caregivers who perceived the quality of care to be high have higher job satisfaction than those who do not. Conclusion: Results such as these may be important in guiding caregiver retention initiatives in nursing homes.
Attributes of Innovation and the Implementation of Managerial Tools: An Activity-Based Management Technique

Adopting Rogers' diffusion model and the modified diffusion model presented by Askarany, this paper examines the level of association between perceived attribution of innovations and the diffusion of one managerial tool: Activity-Based Management (ABM) in organisations. Addressing the five main categories of attributes of innovations: 'relative advantage', 'compatibility', 'complexity', 'trialability' and 'observability', the findings suggest that the diffusion of ABM is significantly associated with the specified attributes of such innovations. The findings shed light on some factors influencing the diffusion of recently developed techniques and innovations in organisations.
Barriers to enter in foreign markets: evidence from SMEs in emerging market

Purpose Foreign market entry is considered as a key strategy to grow and survive over longer period of time for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The decision to enter a foreign market is not a straightforward story. Considering resource limitation, SMEs need to analyse the key barriers to entry in foreign markets very carefully. The purpose of this paper is to identify these barriers for the SMEs in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach This study has used primary data collected through questionnaires from 212 Bangladeshi SMEs. A mixed method data analysis technique is used to analyse the firms both from micro- and macro-levels. Following the running example-based case study approach, this study has developed and validated a partial least square-based structural model to assess the key barriers to entry in foreign markets. Findings This study has identified the key socio-economic barriers faced by the SMEs in a developing country to enter in foreign markets. It has successfully framed the socio-economic barriers to enter in foreign markets for Bangladeshi SMEs as a second-order hierarchical model. Originality/value It is often believed that foreign market entry is more affected by social barriers as explained by the existing theories including the Uppsala model. This study, however, revealed that the international market expansions of SMEs in developing countries are more sensitive to the economic barriers.
Knowledge flows within multinational corporations

Pursuing a nodal (i.e., subsidiary) level of analysis, this paper advances and tests an overarching theoretical framework pertaining to intracorporate knowledge transfers within multinational corporations (MNCs). We predicted that (i) knowledge outflows from a subsidiary would be positively associated with value of the subsidiary’s knowledge stock, its motivational disposition to share knowledge, and the richness of transmission channels; and (ii) knowledge inflows into a subsidiary would be positively associated with richness of transmission channels, motivational disposition to acquire knowledge, and the capacity to absorb the incoming knowledge. These predictions were tested empirically with data from 374 subsidiaries within 75 MNCs headquartered in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Except for our predictions regarding the impact of source unit's motivational disposition on knowledge outflows, the data provide either full or partial support to all of the other elements of our theoretical framework. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Study of Clinical Profile of Dengue Fever in Kollam, Kerala, India ¶

A large urban epidemic of dengue fever occurred in Kollam city of Kerala in 2003. During this epidemic, a study was conducted among 250 IgM dengue antibody-confirmed cases admitted to three major hospitals in Kollam city. The presenting symptoms were: fever (96.8%), headache (77.2%), abdominal pain (62.4%), diarrhoea (15.2%), bleeding (15.2%), skin rash (13.2%), pruritus (10.4%), sore throat (5.2%), and seizures (0.8%). The major physical findings noted included positive tourniquet test (33.67%), hepatomegaly (17.6%), bradycardia (16.8%), pleural effusion (13.2%) and ascites (12%). The most frequent abnormal laboratory findings included haemoconcentration (27.8%) and severe thrombocytopenia (<10 000 in 8.5%). Eight out of 250 patients died (case-fatality rate (CFR) = 3.2%). In all the 8 cases of death, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was the cause of death. DIC was associated with thrombocytopenia (platelet count-50 000/cmm) and haemoconcentration (7 out of 8 cases).
The Formal and Informal Long-Term Caregiving for the Elderly: The Malaysian Experience

This paper examines the formal and informal caregiving for elderly in the Malaysian society under the absence of a structured long-term care environment. We surveyed 31 health care providers and 56 informal caregivers for elderly. The private for-profit care providers offer better facilities and services than non-profit centres. Females especially daughters were usually the informal caregivers to the elderly. Caregivers spent below USD$330 on long-term care expenses and relying heavily on public health care services. The results suggest government to implement a comprehensive social insurance for long-term care to ensure protection and equal treatment to be received by elderly.
International Linkages, Value Added Trade and LAC Firms' Productivity

This paper addresses the following research questions: i) are firms characterized by international linkages more productive than other firms? ii) are those belonging to industries more involved in GVCs even more productive? To this end, we combine the WB Enterprise Survey dataset with the new OECD-WTO TiVA dataset and present three main empirical exercises: 1) an analysis of productivity premia associated with participation in international trade and presence of inward FDI; 2) a Cobb-Douglas output function expanded to firms international linkages; 3) a further expanded version of the above relationship including the TIVA-based indicators of value added trade and industry participation and position in global value chain. Our empirical outcomes confirm the presence of a positive causal relationship between participation in international activities and firm performance in the LAC region. Focusing on four big Latin American countries we show that the actual level of involvement into GVCs matters as well.
Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in irritable bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVES:Serotonin is a key mediator of intestinal peristalsis, and after it is secreted, it is effectively cleansed from the neuronal gap by means of a high affinity substance called serotonin transporter (SERT), which depends on the Na+ and Cl− ions localized in the presynaptic neuronal membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate SERT polymorphism in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS:SERT gene polymorphism was assessed by polymerase chain reaction on DNA chains obtained from leukocytes in serum samples from 54 patients diagnosed with IBS and 91 healthy subjects. The polymorphism of two regions (variable number tandem repeats and the SERT gene—linked polymorphic region [5-HTTLPR]) of SERT was assessed.RESULTS:SERT polymorphisms were found to be similar in healthy subjects and IBS patients (p > 0.05). IBS patients were divided into three groups: diarrhea predominant (n = 18), constipation predominant (n = 26), and alternating diarrhea and constipation (n = 10). These groups were compared with respect to gene polymorphism, and it was found that the 5-HTTLPR allele S/S genotype occurred with greater frequency in the constipation predominant group than in the other two subgroups (p < 0.05), and L/S genotype frequency in the diarrhea predominant group was higher than those in the constipation and control groups.CONCLUSIONS:No relationship was found between IBS and SERT gene polymorphism. It is conceivable that the presence of the S/S genotype in IBS patients carries an increased risk of the constipation predominant type of IBS, whereas the presence of the 5-HTTLPR allele L/S genotype carries an increased risk of the diarrhea predominant type.
Presenilin 1 Mutations Activate γ42-Secretase but Reciprocally Inhibit ε-Secretase Cleavage of Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and S3-Cleavage of Notch*

The presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2) proteins are necessary for proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) within its transmembrane domain. One of these cleavage events (termed γ-secretase) generates the C-terminal end of the Aβ-peptide by proteolysis near residue 710 or 712 of APP770. Another event (termed γ-like or ε-secretase cleavage) cleaves near residue 721 at ∼2–5 residues inside the cytoplasmic membrane boundary to generate a series of stable, C-terminal APP fragments. This latter cleavage is analogous to S3-cleavage of Notch. We report here that specific mutations in the N terminus, loop, or C terminus of PS1 all increase the production of Aβ42 but cause inhibition of both ε-secretase cleavage of APP and S3-cleavage of Notch. These data support the hypothesis that ε-cleavage of APP and S3-cleavage of Notch are similar events. They also argue that, although both the γ-site and the ε-site cleavage of APP are presenilin-dependent, they are likely to be independent catalytic events.
Benchmarking and performance measurement of supply chain management practices: a survey of Indian organisations

Supply Chain Management (SCM) is regarded as a means of improving organisational effectiveness and for better realisation of organisational goals. Organisations now recognise the strategic contribution of suppliers to total performance and increasingly expect their suppliers to offer cost, quality, time, flexibility, delivery and technological advantages. This requires an efficient and effective supply chain to be developed. The supply chain needs to be continuously assessed for its performance and its activities benchmarked with respect to highest standards. While performance measurement helps management in providing feedback, assisting in diagnosing problems, revising organisations goals, reengineering business process etc., benchmarking provides benefits in process improvement, culture and financial gains etc. This paper is based on the data collected from a survey of 54 Indian manufacturing organisations carried out to ascertain issues related to benchmarking and performance measurement of SCM practices. The findings indicate that Indian organisations are using benchmarking mainly as a strategic tool for continuous improvement. The types of benchmarking used, important requirements for the success of benchmarking, criteria for suppliers' evaluation, improvements recorded in operational areas due to effective selection of suppliers and some useful index, which can be used for performance measurement of supply chain are also discussed.
The impact of total quality management (TQM) on the hospital’s performance: an empirical research

This study is carried out to investigate the impact of total quality management (TQM) practices on hospital performance. Several studies have proven that TQM practices have a significant impact on organisational performances. However, this has not been fully addressed in many developing countries especially in the healthcare industry. Realising the need, this study seeks to explore the impact of TQM practices on the hospital performance in Jordanian hospitals. The research has been carried out in both public and private hospitals in Jordan. The data collection was gathered through a stratified random sampling method. 300 questionnaires were distributed out of 713 population samples. The response rate was 77% of the total questionnaires distributed. The findings indicate that there is a positive relationship between the variables of TQM practices and hospital performance, especially in the dimension of patient result and staff/work system results.
The Performance of UK Takeovers

This study reports the operating performance of UK takeovers over the period 1976 to 1990. We show that hostile takeovers have led to improved profits and cash flows. We do not find evidence, as reported in previous studies, that large takeovers in general lead to improved cash flow performance. The enhanced return from large takeovers appears to be caused by a relative decline in the market capitalization of those companies after takeover.
Application of MVC Platform in Bank E-CRM

Customer relationship management (CRM) has been as important to the banking industry at the start of the 21st century as it has been to any other industry. Banks have used E-CRM tools to acquire more customers and to improve relationships with them. Model-View- Controller (MVC) pattern is a software design pattern that is suitable for interactive system. This paper analyzes the CRM characteristics: interactive, expansibility, the complexity of data and integration. To these characteristics of CRM, it provides a system design scheme on MVC pattern, and describes the advantages of function and structure in the system. Today, many businesses such as banks, insurance companies, and other service providers realize the importance of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and its potential to help them acquire new customers retain existing ones and maximize their lifetime value. At this point, close relationship with customers will require a strong coordination between IT and marketing departments to provide a long-term retention of selected customers. CRM is an integration of information technology and management method. Design and development of CRM is a key step of solution of enterprise's CRM. More competition and increased regulation made it more difficult for banks to stand out from the crowd. However, the development of CRM gave proactive banks access to technology that helped them improve customer retention by using customer feedback to offer conveniences like ATMs and online banking. Banks can also use CRM tools to improve customer loyalty by using data collected through customer sign-ups, transactions and feedback processes. E-CRM is defined as a mean of selling, serving, or communicating with customer through the web. Further he takes E-CRM as a subset of CRM, which means that E-CRM is one of the channels that a company can use to deploy its CRM strategies (1). The goal of E-CRM system is to improve customer service, retain valuable customers and to aid in providing analytical capabilities within an organization (2). This paper deals with the role of Customer Relationship Management in banking sector and the need for Customer Relationship Management and provides a Design of CRM System Based on MVC Pattern according to the CRM characteristics. 2. The characteristics of E-CRM CRM is a broad approach for creating, maintaining and expanding customer relationships. CRM is the business strategy that aims to understand, anticipate, manage and personalize the needs of an organization's current and potential customers. At the heart of a perfect strategy is the creation of mutual value for all parties involved in the business process. It is about creating a sustainable competitive advantage by being the best at understanding, communicating, and delivering and developing existing customer relationships in addition to
Marrow Stem Cells, Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells, and Stromal Progeny

During development, embryonic stem cells (ES) have been thought traditionally to give rise to organ-restricted stem cells. This process is believed to occur as a continuum through adult life since these stem cells also give rise to lineage committed progenitor cells, which retain a certain degree of multipotentiality in adult tissues. An example is the CFU-GEMM of the hematopoietic system which renews the formed elements of the blood. Tissue restricted stem cells and progenitor cells have been described for all adult tissues including bone marrow, liver, and brain. Quiescent stem cells that are retained in adult hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues may be recruited from the quiescent state (G0) and mobilized when tissues are injured or depleted. They eventually form committed progenitor cells which differentiate to mature (terminal) cells that express genes that are functionally tissue specific. Differences exist between the hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic regenerative processes. Injury to or depletion of hematopoietic cells provokes replacement of blood or immune elements by newly generated cells derived from committed progenitor cells in the marrow microenvironment. In contrast, repair mechanisms associated with non-hematopoietic tissues may involve cells which appear mature, but which have retained some degree of proliferation and differentiation potential. Examples are hepatocytes, skin fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells. Previously, the differentiation potential of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) or stromal progenitor cells in the bone marrow has been thought to be limited to the generation of hematopoietic supportive stromal cells of