Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
National Quality Monitoring of Medicare Health Plans: The Relationship Between Enrollees’ Reports and the Quality of Clinical Care

Background. The clinical quality of health plans varies. The associations between different measures of health plan quality are incompletely understood. Objective. To assess the relationships between enrollee reports on the quality of health plans as measured by the Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study (CAHPS 2.0) survey and the clinical quality of care measured by the Medicare Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS). Design. Observational cohort study. Sample. National sample of 233 Medicare health plans that reported data using the CAHPS 2.0 survey and Medicare HEDIS during 1998. Measures. Five composite measures and four ratings derived from the CAHPS survey and six measures of clinical quality from Medicare HEDIS. Results. Two composite measures (“getting needed care” and “health plan information and customer service”) were significantly associated with most of the HEDIS clinical quality measures. The proportion of enrollees having a personal doctor was also significantly associated with rates of mammography, eye exams for diabetics, &bgr;-blocker use after myocardial infarction, and follow-up after mental health hospitalization. Enrollees’ ratings of health plan care were less consistently associated with HEDIS performance. In multivariable analyses, the measure of health plan communication (“health plan information and customer service”) was the most consistent predictor of HEDIS performance. Conclusions. The pattern of associations we observed among some of the measures suggests that the CAHPS survey and HEDIS are complementary quality monitoring strategies. Our results suggest that health plans that provide better access and customer service also provide better clinical care.
Bartonella henselae Induces NF-κB-Dependent Upregulation of Adhesion Molecules in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells: Possible Role of Outer Membrane Proteins as Pathogenic Factors

ABSTRACT The endothelium is a specific target for Bartonella henselae, and endothelial cell infection represents an important step in the pathogenesis of cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. Mechanisms of Bartonella-endothelial cell interaction as well as signaling pathways involved in target cell activation were analyzed. B. henselae strain Berlin-1, isolated from bacillary angiomatosis lesions of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient, potently stimulated human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), as determined by NF-κB activation and enhanced adhesion molecule expression. These effects were accompanied by increased PMN rolling on and adhesion to infected endothelial cell monolayers, as measured in a parallel-plate flow chamber assay. Monoclonal antibodies against E-selectin significantly reduced PMN rolling and adhesion. In our hands, B. henselae Berlin-1 was substantially more active than the typing strain B. henselae ATCC 49882. E-selectin and ICAM-1 upregulation occurred for up to 9 days, as verified by Northern blotting and cell surface enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Induction of adhesion molecules was mediated via NF-κB activation and could be blocked by a specific NF-κB inhibitor. Additional studies indicated that B. henselae-induced effects did not require living bacteria or Bartonella lipopolysaccharides. Exposure of HUVEC to purified B. henselae outer membrane proteins (OMPs), however, reproduced all aspects of endothelial cell activation. In conclusion, B. henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis, infects and activates endothelial cells. B. henselae OMPs are sufficient to induce NF-κB activation and adhesion molecule expression followed by enhanced rolling and adhesion of leukocytes. These observations identify important new properties of B. henselae, demonstrating its capacity to initiate a cascade of events culminating in a proinflammatory phenotype of infected endothelial cells.
Upper airway viruses and bacteria and clinical outcomes in children with cough

Background: Cough is symptomatic of a broad range of acute and chronic pediatric respiratory illnesses. No studies in children have tested for an extended panel of upper airway respiratory viruses and bacteria to identify whether they predict cough outcomes, irrespective of clinical diagnosis at the time of acute respiratory illness (ARI). We therefore determined whether upper airway microbes independently predicted hospitalization and persistent cough 28‐days later in children presenting with an ARI, including cough as a symptom. Methods: A cohort study of children aged <15‐years were followed for 28‐days after presenting to a pediatric emergency department with an ARI where cough was also a symptom. Socio‐demographic factors, presenting clinical features and a bilateral anterior nasal swab were collected at enrolment. Polymerase chain reaction assays tested for seven respiratory bacteria and 17 viruses. Predictors of hospitalization and persistent cough at day‐28 were evaluated in logistic regression models. Results: Eight hundred and seventeen children were included in the analysis; median age 27.7‐months. 116 (14.2%, 95%CI 11.8, 16.6) children were hospitalized and 163 (20.0%, 95%CI 17.2, 22.7) had persistent cough at day‐28. Hospitalized children were more likely to have RSV A or B detected on nasal swab than those not admitted (adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.8, 95%CI 1.0, 3.3). M. catarrhalis was the only microbial difference between children with and without cough persistence (aRR for those with cough at day 28: 2.1, 95%CI 1.3, 3.1). Discussion: An etiologic role for M. catarrhalis in the pathogenesis of persistent cough post‐ARI is worth exploring, especially given the burden of chronic cough in children and its relationship with chronic lung disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017;52:373–381. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cognitive Styles in an International Perspective: Cross-Validation of the Cognitive Style Indicator (CoSI)

This study examines the cross-cultural validity of the Cognitive Style Indicator (CoSI). Measurement equivalence tests were performed on data collected from a Belgian (n = 300) and a South African (n = 246) sample of students and employees. Confirmatory factor analyses within each sample showed the best fit to the data for a three-factor model underlying the CoSI. Measurement invariance tests, using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, indicated that the relationships among the scales showed equivalence across cultures. Although the study is an important first step toward the cross-validation of the CoSI, further research in other international samples is particularly needed to strengthen these results.
Gasification-Based Fuels and Electricity Production from Biomass, without and with Carbon Capture and Storage

3.1 PRODUCTION OF CLEAN SYNTHESIS GAS 9 3.1. 1 Biomass Gasification 9 3.1. 2 Gas Cleanup 10 3.2 CONVERSION OF SYNTHESIS GAS TO FINAL PRODUCTS 15 3.2. 1 Synthesis of Fischer-Tropsch Fuels 16 3.2. 2 Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether 17 3.2. 3 Hydrogen Production 18
Brand management in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from Stakeholder Theory Perspective

Branding in SMEs setting has received a significant interest from academic researchers. However, the majority of studies took a single stakeholder approach, although multiple stakeholders are of major importance in managing brands. Thus, this study aims to provide a conceptual framework grounded in stakeholder theory to extend the understanding of SME branding. To do so, the paper reviews the literature from peer-reviewed journals with a focus on branding in SMEs context. The review covers online papers published within the period of 2008-2018. Along with the highlighting of significant progress of research on SME branding, the review reveals three categories of outcomes: 1) Methodological and contextual findings, 2) Frameworks and guidelines for building strong SMEs, and 3) General evidence and issues. Furthermore, this study finds out that most of the conducted researches are of exploratory nature and anticipates that a stakeholder-oriented SME would perform better from branding standpoint. Therefore, this study recommends carrying out more studies on SME branding with a focus on multiple stakeholders and varying the research approach (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods). Finally, this study advances the literature by underlining the research general and methodological issues and proposing a conceptual framework linking SME branding field with stakeholder theory.
The early course of bipolar disorder in youth at familial risk.

INTRODUCTION There has been substantial clinical and research interest in describing the complete natural history of bipolar disorder, and related to this significant debate in regard to the validity of the bipolar diagnosis in very young children. Given the high heritability of bipolar disorder, longitudinal high risk studies can provide important information in regard to the evolution of the disorder. METHODS A selected review and discussion of the findings from key longitudinal high risk studies are presented focusing on the relevance for mapping the early course of illness, addressing the validity of the bipolar diagnosis in very young referred children and implications for diagnosis and organization of services. RESULTS To date, there have been findings reported from several longitudinal high risks studies starting with well characterized affected parents, all of which support an evolution of psychopathology from non-specific disorders to frank bipolarity. Early childhood antecedents include internalizing and sleep disorders and typically not behavioural disorders. In the majority of cases, the early mood pathology and associated morbidity is related to the depressive polarity. None of these studies have reported a single case of pre-pubertal mania. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of considering the clinical course and the family history in diagnostic formulation in pediatric patients early in the course of a psychiatric illness. The implications of these findings for early intervention and organization of child psychiatry services are discussed.
PENGARUH KUALITAS AUDIT, LEVERAGE, DAN GROWTH TERHADAP PRAKTIK MANAJEMEN LABA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kualitas audit, leverage, dan growth terhadap manajemen laba pada perusahaan manufaktur di Indonesia. Manajemen laba didefinisikan sebagai tindakan manajemen yang berupa campur tangan dalam proses penyusunan laporan keuangan dengan maksud untuk meningkatkan kesejahteraan secara personal maupun untuk meningkatkan nilai perusahaan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif. Data yang digunakan adalah data sekunder. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah perusahaan sektor manufaktur yang terdaftar di BEI (Bursa Efek Indonesia) periode 2012-2014. Jumlah sampel yang digunakan sebanyak 74 perusahaan yang diambil melalui purposive sampling. Metode analisis penelitian ini menggunakan analisis regresi linear berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa kualitas audit dan growth berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap manajemen laba, sedangkan leverage berpengaruh negatif dan signifikan terhadap manajemen laba. Kata kunci: Kualitas audit, leverage, growth, manajemen laba
A novel mutation (Thr116Ile) in the presenilin 1 gene in a patient with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease

We report a novel presenilin 1 (PSN1) mutation (Thr116Ile) in a woman with early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). This mutation was not found in 100 healthy controls, indicating that this is not a common polymorphism. The patient presented with forgetfulness at age 45, followed over the next 3 years by a worsening of the memory loss and frequent episodes of confusion and spatial disorientation. Neuroimaging studies were consistent with AD. The analysis of the family's pedigree showed that the proband was apparently the only member affected. Because the early death of several close relatives (i.e. the mother and the grandmother) and the demonstration that the father is not a mutation carrier, it is suggested that either a de novo mutation or a censor effect might have occurred. Our finding supports the indication that PSN1 mutations should be searched for in early‐onset AD, particularly when a censor effect precludes a precise genetic analysis.
History of Juvenile Arrests and Vocational Career Outcomes for At-Risk Young Men

This study uses longitudinal data from the Oregon Youth Study (OYS) to examine prospective effects of juvenile arrests and of early versus late onset of juvenile offending on two labor market outcomes by age 29 or 30 years. It was expected that those with more juvenile arrests and those with an early onset of offending would show poorer outcomes on both measures, controlling for propensity factors. Data were available for 203 men from the OYS, including officially recorded arrests and self-reported information on the men’s work history across 9 years. Analyses revealed unexpected specificity in prospective effects: Juvenile arrests and mental health problems predicted the number of months unemployed; in contrast, being fired from work was predicted by poor child inhibitory control and adolescent substance use. Onset age of offending did not significantly predict either outcome. Implications of the findings for applied purposes and for developmental taxonomies of crime are discussed.
What drives the differences in domestic value added in exports between old and new E.U. member states?

Abstract Domestic value added in exports has lately become a key measure of a country’s global competitiveness. This paper analyses the potential drivers of the differences in domestically generated value added in exported goods between ‘new’ (CEE-10) and ‘old’ (EU-15) countries. The analysis focuses on the role played by intangible investments, human capital and foreign direct investment. By studying export performance at the industry level for the period 2000–2011, this paper finds that differences in the share of domestically generated value added depend on investments in intangible capital, in particular investments in research and development. CEE-10 countries suffer from a distinct lack of investments in intangible capital, which is currently only sufficient to enable their mere participation in global value chains. Further, inward F.D. I. causes a reduction in demand for domestic inputs for both groups of countries and hence lowers D.V. A. in exports, while CEE-10 countries are also found to be upgrading global value chains by undertaking outward F.D. I.
Bringing Government Back to the People? The Impact of Political Decentralization on Voter Engagement in Western Europe

This paper examines how political decentralization affects levels of voter engagement. Political actors have often justified processes of political decentralization as means to “bring government back to the people. ” While these claims are consistent with scholarly theories on voter turnout, aggregate-level analysis does not reveal the expected net shifts in voter attitudes and behavior in decentralized countries of Western Europe. Rather than signaling the relative unimportance of constitutional reform for voter engagement, this study finds that decentralization differentially affects members of the electorate. Using survey data to examine pre- and post-decentralization voter participation in Scotland, I determine that partisans of the regionalist, Scottish National Party are more receptive to the effects of this institutional change than affiliates of the national, mainstream parties. This paper suggests, therefore, that institutions do not necessarily have an independent effect on voter behavior; their impact is mediated by the individual-level characteristics of those voters.
PENGARUH PERTUMBUHAN PERUSAHAAN, STRUKTUR MODAL, DAN PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN

The purpose of the research is to obtain empirical evidence about the impact of growth , capital structure and profitability to firm value . The sample in this research is manufacturing company which listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange during the period of 2013 –2015. The source of the data of this research was conducted from annual report and sustainability report. This research is using quantitative approach with multiple linear regression analysis method. The result in this research found that growth effect positively to firm value, capital structure effect negatively to firm value and profitability effect positively to firm value. Keyword : Growth, Capital Structur, Profitability, firm value
Leveraged Funds and the Shadow Cost of Leverage Constraints

Using the most comprehensive dataset of leveraged funds known to the literature, we measure the market-wide shadow cost of leverage constraints and examine its pricing implications. The shadow cost averages 0.56% per annum from 2006 to 2016, spikes upon quarter-ends when banks face tighter capital requirements, positively predicts future betting-against-beta (BAB) returns, and negatively correlates with contemporaneous BAB returns. Stocks that underperform when the shadow cost increases earn 0.64% more per month. Overall, our shadow cost measure fits the predictions of leverage-constraint based theories better than the widely-used TED spread.
Enhancement of the Proapoptotic Properties of Newcastle Disease Virus Promotes Tumor Remission in Syngeneic Murine Cancer Models

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is considered a promising agent for cancer therapy due to its oncolytic properties. These include preferential replication in transformed cells, induction of innate and adaptive immune responses within tumors, and cytopathic effects in infected tumor cells due to the activation of apoptosis. To enhance the latter and thus possibly enhance the overall oncolytic activity of NDV, we generated a recombinant NDV encoding the human TNF receptor Fas (rNDV-B1/Fas). rNDV-B1/Fas replicates to similar titers as its wild-type (rNDV-B1) counterpart; however, overexpression of Fas in infected cells leads to higher levels of cytotoxicity correlated with faster and increased apoptosis responses, in which both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways are activated earlier. Furthermore, in vivo studies in syngeneic murine melanoma models show an enhancement of the oncolytic properties of rNDV-B1/Fas, with major improvements in survival and tumor remission. Altogether, our data suggest that upregulation of the proapoptotic function of NDV is a viable approach to enhance its antitumor properties and adds to the currently known, rationally based strategies to design optimized therapeutic viral vectors for the treatment of cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(5); 1247–58. ©2015 AACR.
Properties of mouse CD40: Cellular distribution of CD40 and B cell activation by monoclonal anti‐mouse CD40 antibodies

We describe here the derivation of a rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) against mouse CD40 (designated 3/23), which stains 45–50% of spleen cells of adult mice, approximately 90% of which are B cells. Interestingly, some 5–10% of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the spleens of (some, but not all) adult, unimmunized mice are also CD40+, whereas CD40+ cells were not detectable in the thymus, even following collagenase digestion. Some 35–40% of lymphoid cells in the bone marrow of adult mice are CD40+ and virtually all of these are B220+, and hence of the B cell lineage: triple‐color flow cytometry showed that CD40 is expressed at low levels on some 30% of pre‐B cells, at intermediate levels on 80% of immature B cells and on essentially all mature B cells in the bone marrow. These results, therefore, suggest that in the mouse CD40 is expressed relatively late during the process of B cell differentiation. The mAb induced marked up‐regulation of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, CD23 and B7.2 antigens on mature B cells. It also stimulated modest levels of DNA synthesis in mature B cells by itself: this was markedly enhanced by suboptimal concentrations of mitogenic (but not non‐mitogenic) anti‐μ and anti‐δ mAb, and moderately enhanced by co‐stimulation with interleukin‐4. Hyper‐cross‐linking of CD40 (using biotinylated mAb and avidin) also enhanced the proliferative response to anti‐CD40.
Productivity Effects of Internationalisation Through the Domestic Supply Chain: Evidence from Europe

This paper analyses whether indirect effects of internationalisation occur through the domestic supply chain. We investigate productivity effects for a given firm resulting from the import or export of intermediate inputs by domestic upstream and downstream industries. Using a rich sample of manufacturing firms in 19 EU countries, we find evidence that domestic access to intermediate inputs that are also destined to foreign countries is associated with higher levels of revenue productivity. Further, our results highlight two common, but important, misspecification biases: ignoring the dynamic nature of productivity and estimating a value-added instead of a gross-output production function.
Neck pain in F-16 vs. Typhoon fighter pilots.

INTRODUCTION In jet pilots, the neck is stressed by dynamic loading and there is growing concern about possible neck damage in pilots of new agile aircraft. Jet pilots often report neck pain after flight so intense that their operational capability may be affected. However, there is no clear evidence of structural damage related to the operational exposure. METHODS We compared 35 F-16 pilots with 35 age-matched Eurofighter Typhoon pilots. All subjects completed an anonymous questionnaire on their flight activity and neck pain. RESULTS The incidence of neck pain in the F-16 group was 48.6% compared with 5.7% of the Typhoon group, significantly higher. In F-16 pilots, there was a significant association between neck pain and age over 30 yr, total flight hours, and flight hours exceeding 600. DISCUSSION Our findings suggest that the risk of neck pain after flight is higher among F-16 pilots compared with Typhoon pilots. This could be due to several reasons, including the backward reclined seat of the F-16, which exposes the neck to the load in an unfavorable posture while moving the head during maneuvers at sustained high-G.
PENGARUH KEAHLIAN, INDEPENDENSI, DAN ETIKA TERHADAP KUALITAS AUDITOR PADA KAP SURABAYA

ABSTRACT This research is aimed to examine the influence of expertise, independence, and ethics to the auditor quality. The research object is the auditor in public accountant firm in Surabaya. The sources of primary data in this research response to the questionnaires which have been issued to the auditors. This research is an empirical research in which the sample collection method is based on the consideration (judgment sampling) i.e. the sample collection has been done by using predetermined criteria, so 30 respondents have been selected as samples. The form of the questionnaires which have been used in this research is closed questionnaire. The analysis technique has been done by using multiple regression analysis. In this research, there are six variables which consist of five independent variables i.e. expertise, independence, and ethics and one dependent variable i.e. auditor quality. Based on the result, it can be concluded that partially expertise, independence, and ethics have positive and significant influence to the auditor quality. and it is supported by the determination coefficient which indicates that expertise, independence, and ethics give influence to the dependent variable (auditor quality) simultaneously is 53.9%, whereas the remaining 46.1% is influenced by other factors. Keywords: expertise, independence, ethics, auditor quality