Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ignorance is not bliss: The effect of systematic information on immigrants’ knowledge of and satisfaction with the Danish healthcare system

Aims: Suboptimal healthcare utilisation and lower satisfaction with the patient–doctor encounter among immigrants has been documented. Immigrants’ lack of familiarity with the healthcare system has been proposed as an explanation for this. This study investigated whether a systematic delivery of information affected immigrants’ knowledge of and satisfaction with the Danish healthcare system. Methods: A prospective, randomised intervention study of 1158 adult immigrants attending two language schools in Copenhagen was conducted. Two intervention groups received written information or a 12-hour course on the Danish healthcare system, while a control group received nothing. Survey data included self-assessed knowledge, true/false questions on access and questions relating to satisfaction with the healthcare system. Data were linked to socioeconomic registry data. Logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The course improved knowledge of who to contact in the event of an accident (odds ratio (OR) = 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56–4.59) but not in the event of illness. Further, it positively affected correct answers for nine out of 11 questions on the healthcare system (varying from OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.08–3.24 to OR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.58–6.11). Written information positively affected correct answers for three out of 11 questions, but negatively affected one out of 11 compared with the control group. Neither intervention affected immigrants’ satisfaction with the healthcare system. Conclusions : Knowledge of the healthcare system is necessary for optimal healthcare-seeking behaviour. The results may form the basis of national and international changes in immigrant reception and optimise immigrants’ contact with the healthcare system.
Clinical outcome among HIV-infected patients starting saquinavir hard gel compared to ritonavir or indinavir

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical response among patients who initiate protease inhibitor therapies with different virological potency. DesignWe analysed patients who started indinavir, ritonavir or saquinavir hard gel capsule (hgc) as part of at least triple therapy during prospective follow-up within the EuroSIDA study. MethodsChanges in plasma viral load (pVL) and CD4 cell count from baseline were compared between treatment groups. Time to new AIDS-defining events and death were compared in Kaplan–Meier models, and Cox models were established to further assess differences in clinical progression (new AIDS/death). Adjustment was made for differences in baseline parameters, in particular pVL, CD4 cell count, and region of Europe. ResultsA total of 2708 patients (median follow-up: 30 months) were included, of which 556 started ritonavir (21%), 1342 indinavir (50%), and 810 saquinavir hgc (30%). The three groups were fairly evenly balanced at baseline regarding CD4 count, previous diagnosis of AIDS and pVL, After 12 months, the median changes in CD4 cell count were 90, 96 and 74 × 106 cells/l, respectively;P < 0.001, the proportions of patients with pVL < 500 copies/ml were 47, 54 and 41%;P < 0.001, and the proportions with clinical progression were 11.9, 9.2 and 11.9%, respectively;P = 0.20 (log-rank test). In multivariate models the relative risk of clinical progression for indinavir compared with saquinavir hgc was: 0.77 (0.60–0.99);P = 0.043, and for ritonavir 0.83 (0.62–1.11);P = 0.20. ConclusionsSaquinavir hgc was associated with an inferior long-term clinical response relative to indinavir, which was consistent with the observed differences in virological and immunological responses.
Employment and wage premiums in South African manufacturing exporters: Firm-level evidence

ABSTRACT South Africa is currently suffering from high unemployment. As export activity is generally associated with higher economic growth, productivity, employment levels and wages, this papers investigates if increasing export activity is one of the solutions to the high unemployment levels in South Africa. By using newly made available administrative data on the population of South African firms, this paper aims to deepen the understanding of the wage premium, employment premium and employment growth of exporters relative to non-exporters (as well as within exporters). By following the methodology of Bernard and Jensen, the results show that South African manufacturing exporters do have an employment premium and wage premium. But advocating increased export activity is not enough, as exporting firms are heterogenous. Furthermore, employment growth of exporters (measured by estimating first-difference regressions) is faster than non-exporters, but growth in jobs is skewed towards higher skilled, more experience workers.
Brain activation to briefly presented emotional words: Effects of stimulus awareness

It is unknown to what extent briefly presented emotional words can be processed without awareness. By means of two independent functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, using either a block or an event‐related design, we investigated brain activation to very briefly presented threat related and neutral words during two backward masking conditions (with and without gap between target and mask). In both experiments, emotional words were perceived during the supraliminal “with gap” condition, but they were not recognized during the subliminal “without gap” condition, as indicated by signal detection theory analysis. Imaging results of both experiments showed increased activation of the amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex and language‐processing cortical areas to negative versus neutral words during supraliminal but not subliminal conditions. These results suggest that even very briefly presented emotional words are capable of triggering increased cortical and subcortical processing; however, only when awareness of these stimuli is given. Hum Brain Mapp 36:655–665, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Curbing food waste: A review of recent policy and action in the USA

Abstract The present study reviews previous published estimates as to the scale of food waste in the USA and its ecological toll (e.g., in terms of methane emissions and water usage to support the production of wasted food). The review further discusses recent public policy and private action designed to curb food waste or to apply wasted food toward hunger alleviation, biofuel production and soil nourishment. We further consider and expand upon previous estimates comparing the scale of food waste to the present scale of the US hunger problem. These estimates suggest that the recovery and redirection of an additional 15% of the present stock of edible food waste would meet 35% of the caloric needs of all Americans living in a food insecure household or very low food security household. Then, a modest to moderate proportional increase in edible food waste recovery could greatly reduce the US hunger problem in its present state. We estimate that the successful redirection of 15% of presently-wasted (edible) food in the USA would be sufficient to fully sustain 18.45 million individuals. Given available data, we cannot precisely assess the nutritional characteristics of this potential stock of food. The present study emphasizes the traditional and future importance of integrated public policy and private action at the municipal level, as food waste is typically disposed of or recovered at this level.
Clinical course of drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome treated without systemic corticosteroids

Background /aim Drug‐induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) is a severe reaction to drugs which characteristically occurs after a long latency period. In addition, human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) reactivation is a characteristic finding in DIHS, which has been known to be related to disease severity. Because DIHS has generally been treated by systemic corticosteroids, the natural clinical course is not clear.
Increased Prevalence of Luminal Narrowing and Stricturing Identified by Enterography in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Patients With Elevated Granulocyte–Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Autoantibodies

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) patients with elevated granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor autoantibodies (GM-CSF Ab) are more likely to develop stricturing behavior requiring surgery. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance enterography (CTE or MRE) may detect luminal narrowing (LN) before stricture development. The objective of this study was to determine whether CD patients with elevated GM-CSF Ab (≥1.6 &mgr;g/mL) have a higher prevalence of LN and stricturing on CTE or MRE. Methods: A single-center, cross-sectional study of 153 pediatric patients with CD and control subjects undergoing diagnostic CTE or MRE. Examinations were evaluated for disease activity using a novel scoring system and for the presence of LN, stricture, intra-abdominal abscess, or fistulae. Dichotomous outcomes were compared with respect to antibody status (high or low) using Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression, whereas continuous outcomes were evaluated using unpaired t test. Results: GM-CSF Ab were elevated in CD patients (n = 114) with a median (interquartile range) GM-CSF Ab level of 2.3 &mgr;g/mL (0.5–6.6 &mgr;g/mL) compared with 0.6 &mgr;g/mL (0.3–1.3 &mgr;g/mL) in healthy and disease control subjects (n = 39) (P = 0.001). Ileal disease location was more common in CD patients with high GM-CSF Ab (P < 0.001). LN increased from 39% in CD patients with low GM-CSF Ab to 71% in those with high levels (P = 0.004) and remained significantly associated with high GM-CSF Ab in a multivariate logistic model, which included age, gender, small bowel location, and duration of disease. Stricturing prevalence on CTE or MRE examination increased from 4% in CD patients with low GM-CSF Ab to 19% in those with high GM-CSF Ab (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Pediatric CD patients with high GM-CSF Ab levels have a higher prevalence of LN on CTE or MRE. Further study will be needed to determine whether medical therapy will reduce progression to stricturing behavior in these patients.
Cardiovascular disease markers in type 2 diabetes: the effects of a moderate home-based exercise training programme

Patients with T2DM have an increased risk of CVD. Prevention of CVD represents the major goal of all treatment of T2DM, and early intervention in those patients at particularly high risk is important.We measured the insulin sensitivity and plasma biomarkers of CVD to determine whether a home-based exercise training program improves biomarker levels and insulin sensitivity. Patients with T2DM (n=12), IGT (n=4) and healthy control subjects (n=9) were studied before and after eight weeks of exercise training by rowing ergometry at 65—70% of peak oxygen uptake. Conclusions: 1) patients with T2DM have elevated plasma concentrations of CVD biomarkers compared to the matched control and IGT groups; 2) a moderate to vigorous intensity home-based training program did not reduce plasma concentrations of these CVD markers; 3) insulin sensitivity improved as a result of exercise training in the control group, but not in the T2DM group.
Enhanced Gluconeogenesis and Increased Energy Storage as Hallmarks of Aging in Saccharomyces cerevisiae * 210

A relationship between life span and cellular glucose metabolism has been inferred from genetic manipulations and caloric restriction of model organisms. In this report, we have used the Snf1p glucose-sensing pathway ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae to explore the genetic and biochemical linkages between glucose metabolism and aging. Snf1p is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cellular responses to glucose deprivation. Loss of Snf4p, an activator of Snf1p, extends generational life span whereas loss of Sip2p, a presumed repressor of the kinase, causes an accelerated aging phenotype. An annotated data base of global age-associated changes in gene expression in isogenic wild-type,sip2Δ, and snf4Δ strains was generated from DNA microarray studies. The transcriptional responses suggested that gluconeogenesis and glucose storage increase as wild-type cells age, that this metabolic evolution is exaggerated in rapidly agingsip2Δ cells, and that it is attenuated in longer-livedsnf4Δ cells. To test this hypothesis directly, we applied microanalytic biochemical methods to generation-matched cells from each strain and measured the activities of enzymes and concentrations of metabolites in the gluconeogenic, glycolytic, and glyoxylate pathways, as well as glycogen, ATP, and NAD+. The sensitivity of the assays allowed comprehensive biochemical profiling to be performed using aliquots of the same cell populations employed for the transcriptional profiling. The results provided additional evidence that aging in S. cerevisiae is associated with a shift away from glycolysis and toward gluconeogenesis and energy storage. They also disclosed that this shift is forestalled by two manipulations that extend life span, caloric restriction and genetic attenuation of the normal age-associated increase in Snf1p activity. Together, these findings indicate that Snf1p activation is not only a marker of aging but also a candidate mediator, because a shift toward energy storage over expenditure could impact myriad aspects of cellular maintenance and repair.
Does brand orientation lead to brand loyalty among senior and top management in a South African business-to-business organisation?

Background: At the heart and depth of building a strong and prosperous brand in the marketplace, is brand orientation. A few studies have investigated the conceptualisation of brand orientation in relation to brand loyalty, as well as the involvement of brand commitment and brand trust in mediating this association in the business-to-business (B2B) environment.Objective: It is the objective of this study to examine the impact of brand orientation on brand loyalty and the roles played by brand commitment and brand trust in mediating the impact in the South African B2B environment.Method: Questionnaires were completed by 261 top and senior managers of a B2B organisation in South Africa. Structural equation modelling and smart partial least squares were employed in this study to examine the relationships between the constructs.Results: This study provides empirical evidence that brand orientation has a positive and significant relationship with brand commitment and and brand trust. Also that brand commitment and brand trust have positive and significant relationships with brand loyalty in the South African B2B context.Conclusion: This means that organisations that operate in the B2B environment should focus on brand orientation and develop brand strategies that recognise the importance of brand trust and brand commitment.
Amelogenesis Imperfecta and Other Biomineralization Defects in Fam20a and Fam20c Null Mice

The FAM20 family of secreted proteins consists of three members (FAM20A, FAM20B, and FAM20C) recently linked to developmental disorders suggesting roles for FAM20 proteins in modulating biomineralization processes. The authors report here findings in knockout mice having null mutations affecting each of the three FAM20 proteins. Both Fam20a and Fam20c null mice survived to adulthood and showed biomineralization defects. Fam20b –/– embryos showed severe stunting and increased mortality at E13.5, although early lethality precluded detailed investigations. Physiologic calcification or biomineralization of extracellular matrices is a normal process in the development and functioning of various tissues (eg, bones and teeth). The lesions that developed in teeth, bones, or blood vessels after functional deletion of either Fam20a or Fam20c support a significant role for their encoded proteins in modulating biomineralization processes. Severe amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) was present in both Fam20a and Fam20c null mice. In addition, Fam20a –/– mice developed disseminated calcifications of muscular arteries and intrapulmonary calcifications, similar to those of fetuin-A deficient mice, although they were normocalcemic and normophosphatemic, with normal dentin and bone. Fam20a gene expression was detected in ameloblasts, odontoblasts, and the parathyroid gland, with local and systemic effects suggesting both local and/or systemic effects for FAM20A. In contrast, Fam20c –/– mice lacked ectopic calcifications but were severely hypophosphatemic and developed notable lesions in both dentin and bone to accompany the AI. The bone and dentin lesions, plus the marked hypophosphatemia and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and FGF23 levels, are indicative of autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia in Fam20c –/– mice.
Conflict, Clergy and Culture: A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Identities and Conflict Resolution Approaches of Jamaican Church Leaders Residing in South Florida

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.
The effect of cultural distance on post-M&A performance in Dutch acquiring firms

This paper researched a well-studied subject: the effect of cultural distance on post-M&A performance. However, the true impact of this effect is unclear due to contradicting results in prior research. To study this phenomenon an ordinary least squares regression analyses is conducted on a sample of 112 cross-border mergers and acquisitions that took place between 1993 and 2012. The empirical findings in this research indicate that cultural distance does not have a significant impact on post-merger and acquisition performance and should therefore not be taken into account when management decisions are being made about a cross-border merger or acquisition by Dutch companies.
Changing the gender balance in preschools: an analysis of active work carried out by seven Swedish municipalities

ABSTRACT The focus of this study is to examine seven municipalities that, in different ways, are working to recruit more men to work in preschools. The aim of the study is to identify different ways of working to recruit more men to work in preschools and to effect a change in the gender imbalance among the working staff in preschools. Relational agency is used as a conceptual tool in the analysis together with theories of organisational learning and change. The result is that municipalities use initiatives, one-dimensional processes or multi-dimensional processes when organising the change. These three ways of working characterise the work carried out. The work performed can in some cases be a mixture of all three, or at least comprise the first two—initiatives and one-dimensional processes. This shows how municipalities address the issue differently and the fact that the type of agency they take and are prepared to take—or the conditions needed to succeed—all differ. There is a great deal of variation in the work performed across the municipalities. One can discuss whether the municipalities more committed to change are also those more willing to have multi-dimensional processes.
Green Product Development and Product Portfolio Management: Empirical Evidence from an Emerging Economy

Few studies have explored the relationship between green products development (GPD) and product portfolio management (PPM). When considering evidence from emerging economies, the knowledge gap is even deeper. Consequently, the objective of this work is to analyze how green and traditional practices of new product development (NPD) influence product portfolio and NPD performance. In addition, we explore how GPD opens new markets and technology opportunities. The empirical evidence is based on a sample of firms that are developing products and belong to innovative industrial sectors in Brazil. In general, the framework developed and tested in this research indicates the following: (i) the adoption of GPD practices significantly influences product portfolio performance; (ii) the adoption of GPD practices tends to generate positive results with regard to obtaining technological and market opportunities; (iii) the adoption of traditional PPM practices influences the dependent factors. Unexpectedly, correlations between a firm's size or age and its performance were not confirmed. This is the first empirical evidence relating GPD, PPM, and market and technology opportunities in Brazil. Copyright Â© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Is LOX-1 K167N polymorphism protective for coronary artery disease?

BACKGROUND Human lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1, OLR1) has been identified as a cell surface endocytosis receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on vascular endothelial cells. OxLDLs are avidly ingested by macrophages, resulting in foam cell formation. OxLDLs are also involved in inducing smooth muscle cell migration, proliferation and transformation. A single nucleotide polymorphism K167N (G501C) of the LOX-1 gene results in an amino acid dimorphism (Lys/Asn) at residue 167. Replacement of this Lys residue causes reduced binding and internalization of oxLDL. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the LOX-1 K167N gene polymorphism in Turkish patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS K167N polymorphism were studied in 91 patients with CAD and 72 healthy controls by the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS The frequencies of the KK genotype and the K allele were higher in the CAD group than the controls (p<0.05), while the frequency of the NN genotype was higher in the control group than in the CAD group (p<0.05). It was observed that the decreased CAD risk in patients who had the N allele was reversed by male sex (OR: 0.400 -->0.481) and smoking (OR: 0.400 -->0.949). Although male sex and smoking were lower than other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with the N allele they were higher than other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with the K allele. CONCLUSION Male sex and smoking decrease the protective effects of the N allele. The adverse effects of the K allele on the CAD risk resulting from the K167N polymorphism appear to be independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.
Predictors of Poor Response After Primary Immunization of Hepatitis B Vaccines for Infants and Antibody Seroprotection of Booster in a Metropolis of China

To evaluate proportion and predictors of poor response in infants and appraise booster seroprotection, we surveyed 2047 infants in Shanghai and detected antibody to hepatitis B (HB) surface antigen (anti-HBs). Poor responders were randomized into 2 groups, given booster with 5 µg and 10 µg hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), respectively. Proportion of infants with titer <10 mIU/mL and 10 to 99 mIU/mL was 1.86% and 15.14%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression suggested infants of male, aged 13 to 18 months, premature, administered with 5 µg HepB or mother positive for HB surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBe antigen (HBeAg) would more likely develop worse response. Difference of geometric mean concentration between the first and full booster was not statistically significant both for 5 µg and for 10 µg HepB groups. The seroprotective rate were higher for infants with 10 µg HepB than those with 5 µg HepB (P > .05). Therefore, it is concluded that booster for poor vaccinees with 10 µg HepB could achieve satisfactory seroprotection.