Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is it really making an impact? Examining the effect of social media marketing participation benefits on perceived value and behavioural intention: evidences from India.

There is no doubt that traditional marketing practices have changed in recent years and tourism industry is no exception to it. It has become vital for destinations to use social media as a promotion and marketing tool. Social media facilitates the two-way communication between users that permit them not only to interact with each other but also to share information and opinions about products and services in an online environment. In view of the growing interest of tourism industry in the use of social media marketing, this study is designed to examine the relationships among social media community participation benefits, perceived value and behavioural intention, using structural equation modelling (SEM). The underlying constructs of social media marketing benefits were functional, social, psychological and hedonic. The findings indicate that participation benefits have direct effect on destination's perceived value and indirect effect on behavioural intention.
Behavioral Support Intervention for Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Complier Average Causal Effect (CACE) Analysis

Background:The complier average causal effect (CACE) analysis addresses noncompliance with intervention and missing end-point measures in randomized controlled trials. Objectives:To conduct a CACE analysis for the Peer Coach and Office Staff Support Trial examining the intervention’s effect among “compliers,” defined as subjects who would have received an effective dose of the intervention had it been offered, and to compare with an intention-to-treat analysis. Research Design and Subjects:A randomized controlled trial of 280 African American patients aged 40–75 with sustained uncontrolled hypertension from 2 general internal medicine practices. Measures:Change in 4-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk (primary) and in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (secondary) from the baseline to the end of the 6-month intervention. Results:Of 136 intervention subjects, 68% were compliers who had significantly more end points measured (86% vs. 34% for CHD risk; 99% vs. 57% for SBP) and lower baseline CHD risk (5% vs. 7.5%) and SBP (139 vs. 144 mm Hg) compared with noncompliers. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the effect of offering the intervention was nonsignificant for 4-year CHD risk (P=0.08) but significant for SBP (P=0.003). CACE analyses showed that receipt of an effective dose of the intervention resulted in a 1% greater reduction in 4-year CHD risk (P<0.05) and at least 8.1 mm Hg greater reduction in SBP compared with compliers in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions:Among compliers, an effective dose of peer coach and office-based support resulted in significant reductions in 4-year CHD risk and SBP. More intensive interventions are likely to be required for noncompliers.
Impact of Economic Conditions on Individual Risk Attitude

The current study uses the German Socio Economic Panel to examine how the financial crisis of 2008-2010 impacted individuals’ risk attitude. We find substantial changes in risk attitudes associated with the financial crisis which supports countercyclical risk aversion. We find that managers who continued to work in a leadership position were more risk taking in the beginning and reacted quicker compared both to the general population and to individuals who entered the crisis but did not exit the crisis with managerial positions. Changes in risk tolerance levels differ across socio-demographic groups, including gender and income levels. Finally, we observe variations across generations, which we attribute to generation-specific macro-economic experiences.
Integrating knowledge management (KM) strategies and processes to enhance organizational creativity and performance

Purpose – This study aims to identify if an integration between knowledge strategy and knowledge management (KM) processes leads to organizational creativity and performance. Design/methodology/approach – Quantitative strategy and cross-sectional survey method were used to collect data. In all, 219 randomly selected respondents from 173 listed companies provided feedback through self-administered questionnaire. Factor analysis and multiple regression techniques were used to test multiple hypotheses. Findings – Results revealed the significant positive impact of system-oriented KM systems strategy on KM process capabilities, creativity and organizational performance. No significant impact has been found of human-oriented KM strategy on different KM processes and organizational performance. However, it interestingly has a significant negative relationship with organizational creativity. KM processes have significant impact on organizational creativity and performance. Organizational creativity has also been identified as having a strong significant impact on organizational performance. Originality/value – This paper fills the knowledge gap by undertaking a study which has not been conducted before.
Clinical evaluation of double-pigtail stent in patients with upper urinary tract diseases: report of 2685 cases.

PURPOSE To review the indications, procedures, complications, and related treatments of double pigtail stent (DPS) placement as an adjunct for some types of endoscopic and open urologic surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS From July 1998 to December 2006, 2413 patients aged 8 to 81 years underwent stent placement (2685 total placements). The indications consisted of ureteroscopic lithotripsy (1984 cases), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (329 cases), ureteral incision to remove calculi (71 cases), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for upper urinary tract calculi (145 cases), ureteropelvic junction obstruction (31 cases), ureterocystoneostomy (29 cases), benign ureteral stenosis (52 cases), extrinsic ureteral stenosis (16 cases), and iatrogenic ureteral trauma (28 cases). DPSs were inserted into the ureter by cystoscopy (115 stents), ureteroscopy (2052 stents), percutaneous nephrostomy (393 stents), or open surgery (125 stents), and were kept inside the body for 28 +/- 1.7 days (range 1-193 days). The mean follow-up period was 31 +/- 1.9 days (range 1-123 days). RESULTS Three hundred sixty-five patients (19.6%) experienced one or more problems during the stenting procedure. The main complications were gross hematuria (385 cases), pain (101 cases), bladder irritation (105 cases), high fever (6 cases), encrustation (53 cases), stent migration (42 cases), and stenosis or restenosis (51 cases). Most of the complications were mild and tolerable, and all were immediately treated appropriately. However, 60 stents had to be removed: 29 for gross hematuria, 18 for pain, 7 for bladder irritation, and 6 for high fever. CONCLUSIONS DPS is a safe and useful adjunct for both endoscopic and open procedures to treat upper urinary tract diseases. Most of the complications of DPS placement can be well managed.
IMPACT OF MICRODEBRIDER IN SURGICAL TREATMENT OF NASAL POLYPOSIS IN TERMS OF HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND OBJECTIVE FINDINGS: A COMPERATIVE RANDOMIZED SINGLE BLINDED CLINICAL STUDY

Background: A prospective randomized single-blinded clinical study to compare the outcomes of a total of 97 patients in two groups with nasal polyposis treated surgically with traditional instruments and powered instruments. Methods: Prospective randomized singleblinded clinical study in a tertiary care center with 97 patients evaluated in two groups undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyposis. Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36)-general health status survey was used for quality of life assessment and LundMackay radiologic and endoscopic scoring and acoustic rhinometric nasal volume measurements were used for objective evaluation between randomly allocated study and control groups in a single-blinded manner. The comparison was performed between the results preoperatively and 6-months postoperatively. Paired-t test was used for comparison of preoperative and postoperative results in each group. ANOVA test was used for inter-groups differences.Results: Endoscopic, tomographic and acoustic rhinometric findings and self reported health status survey scores were improved postoperatively in both groups. However, there was an exception in radiologic scores for the forceps group; there was not any statistically significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative radiologic scores for both sides. When two groups were compared postoperatively there was no statistically significant difference. Both techniques showed no major complications. Conclusion: Emphasizing on the identical results with objective and subjective outcomes measures between through cutting traditional instruments and microdebrider, this study stands as complementary to the previous papers stating satisfactory outcomes, minimal morbidities and improved surgeon and patient comfort with powered instruments in the treatment of nasal polyposis.
Contrasting Entrepreneurial Economic Development in Emerging Latin American Economies: Applications and Extensions of Resource-Based Theory

Emerging economies face daunting economic development challenges. Economists and management consultants have generally suggested global solutions that typically focus solely on foreign direct investment. Yet a resource–based theory approach offers an alternative view of economic development in which a foundation of resources within a region gestates entrepreneurial activity. While theoretically appealing, it is unclear in application how such resources can be developed or which types of resources are most important to develop. This paper extends the application of resource–based theory to entrepreneurial economic development in subsistence economies. A qualitative study of contrasting entrepreneurial activity in Chiapas (Mexico) and Atenas (Costa Rica) highlights the primacy of intangible resources—and especially entrepreneurial orientation resources—in the gestation of entrepreneurial activity.
Race, income, and enrollment patterns in highly selective colleges, 1982-2004

Executive Summary Where a student attends college has become increasingly important in the last few decades. As education has grown significantly more important in the labor market, competition among students for access to the most selective colleges and universities has grown as well. In this brief we examine patterns of enrollment, by race and family income, in the most selective colleges and universities. We also simulate racial and socioeconomic patterns of admission to selective colleges under several types of " race-blind " admissions policies, including policies like the Top Ten Percent admissions policy currently in use in Texas and a similar policy in California. For the analyses in this study, we rely on data from three national longitudinal studies of students in the high school classes of 1982, 1992, and 2004. We find: • Black and Hispanic students are dramatically underrepresented in the most selective colleges, even after controlling for family income. The probability of enrolling in a highly selective college is five times greater for white students than black students. Even after controlling for income, white students are two to three times as likely as black students to gain admission to highly selective colleges. These racial disparities appear to have grown in the last 30 years. Because the racial disparity in selective college admissions persists even after controlling for income, income-based admissions practices will not eliminate the racial disparities. • We find that low-and middle-income students are likewise extremely underrepresented in the most selective colleges. Students from top income quintile families are seven to eight times more likely to enroll in a highly selective college than students from bottom quintile families. This disparity appears to have grown over time, as more and more seats in highly selective schools have been occupied by students from high income families. • If selective colleges admitted solely on the basis of whether students were in the top ten percent of students in their state, the racial and socioeconomic diversity of these schools would decline substantially. If all selective colleges admitted solely on the basis of class rank within high schools, the diversity of their collective student bodies might increase very modestly, but would still be far from representative of the population, particularly with regard to black students. This suggests that rules like the Texas Top Ten Percent rule are insufficient to create meaningfully diverse student bodies at selective state universities. In other words, …
Creating a Superior Customer-Relating Capability

In most markets, one or two companies outperform their rivals by staying more closely connected to their customers. Their advantage does not have much to do with customer-relationship-management tools and technologies; the author's research confirms, rather, that superior performance is about how a business builds and manages its organization. In particular, successful companies orchestrate three components of the customer-relating capability. First, they have an organizational orientation that makes customer retention a priority and gives employees wide latitude to satisfy customers. Second, they use metrics, incentives and structure (organizing on the basis of customer groups) to produce the proper "configuration. " And third, they gather and use information about customers that is in-depth, relevant and available through IT systems in all parts of the company. The author uses case studies involving two major credit-card companies and a high-quality chain of hotels to demonstrate how sustained advantage with customers results when companies build these components of the capability. The combination of a true customer-directed orientation, the right technology for generating and distributing information, and the proper organizational configuration can help turn a company into a market-driven leader.
VALIDATION OF AN ABDOMINAL MUSCLE STRENGTH TEST WITH DYNAMOMETRY

Adequate abdominal strength prevents work- and sports-related injuries and stabilizes the spine for athletic activities. The doubleleg-lowering maneuver (DLLM) is a popular test to assess abdominal strength because of its simplicity; however, its validity and reliability have not been studied thoroughly. To determine the validity and reliability of the DLLM, 4 examiners evaluated 28 subjects. The validity of the DLLM was evaluated with the Nicholas Hand-Held Dynamometer (NHHD) as the gold standard. The DLLM scores were compared to themselves for reliability and to NHHD scores for validity. Reliability for the DLLM was very high (r = 0.932). Validity of the DLLM was low (r 520.338 to 20.446). The DLLM is reliable, but it has low validity to assess abdominal strength. The DLLM may be a useful tool to assess pelvic tilt motor control for spine stability, but it is not suitable for assessing muscle strength.
The Impact of 2008 Presidential Campaign Media on Latinos

To examine the effects of the 2008 Obama campaign’s targeted media effort aimed at Latino voters, we married 2008 campaign media data from multiple sources to survey data on registered Latino voters in Nevada and Arizona to examine the specific impact of advertisement buys on that population. In the presence of controls, Obama’s media spending advantage over McCain had a significant and positive relationship with an Obama vote. When looking at local broadcast, cable and radio specifically, we find a significant relationship between spending differentials on local broadcast advertising and vote intention but not between spending differentials on radio and cable buys.
VraSR Two-Component Regulatory System Contributes to mprF-Mediated Decreased Susceptibility to Daptomycin in In Vivo-Selected Clinical Strains of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Daptomycin (DAP) is a new class of cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic highly active against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Proposed mechanisms involve disruption of the functional integrity of the bacterial membrane in a Ca-dependent manner. In the present work, we investigated the molecular basis of DAP resistance in a group of isogenic MRSA clinical strains obtained from patients with S. aureus infections after treatment with DAP. Different point mutations were found in the mprF gene in DAP-resistant (DR) strains. Investigation of the mprF L826F mutation in DR strains was accomplished by inactivation and transcomplementation of either full-length wild-type or mutated mprF in DAP-susceptible (DS) strains, revealing that they were mechanistically linked to the DR phenotype. However, our data suggested that mprF was not the only factor determining the resistance to DAP. Differential gene expression analysis showed upregulation of the two-component regulatory system vraSR. Inactivation of vraSR resulted in increased DAP susceptibility, while complementation of vraSR mutant strains restored DAP resistance to levels comparable to those observed in the corresponding DR wild-type strain. Electron microscopy analysis showed a thicker cell wall in DR CB5012 than DS CB5011, an effect that was related to the impact of vraSR and mprF mutations in the cell wall. Moreover, overexpression of vraSR in DS strains resulted in both increased resistance to DAP and decreased resistance to oxacillin, similar to the phenotype observed in DR strains. These results support the suggestion that, in addition to mutations in mprF, vraSR contributes to DAP resistance in the present group of clinical strains.
Insertion of an outer membrane protein in Escherichia coli requires a chaperone‐like protein.

Only one of the characterized components of the main terminal branch of the general secretory pathway (GSP) in Gram‐negative bacteria, GspD, is an integral outer membrane protein that could conceivably form a channel to permit protein transport across this membrane. PulD, a member of the GspD protein family required for pullulanase secretion by Klebsiella oxytoca, is shown here to form outer membrane‐associated complexes which are not readily dissociated by SDS treatment. The outer membrane association of PulD is absolutely dependent on another component of the GSP, the outer membrane‐anchored lipoprotein PulS. Furthermore, the absence of PulS resulted in limited proteolysis of PulD and caused induction of the so‐called phage shock response, as measured by increased expression of the pspA gene. We propose that PulS may be the first member of a new family of periplasmic chaperones that are specifically required for the insertion of a group of outer membrane proteins into this membrane. PulS is only the second component of the main terminal branch of the GSP for which a precise function can be proposed.
A randomized trial of etanercept as monotherapy for psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE To determine safety and efficacy of monotherapy with etanercept. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. SETTING Outpatient, ambulatory; private practice and university dermatology research centers. PATIENTS Patients aged at least 18 years, with plaque psoriasis involving 10% or more of body surface area; 148 were screened and 112 were randomly assigned to treatment groups and received study drug. INTERVENTIONS Patients received placebo or etanercept, 25 mg, subcutaneously twice a week for 24 weeks. Other psoriasis therapies were limited during the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Safety measurements included tracking of adverse events and laboratory values. Efficacy was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI); the primary end point was a 75% improvement in PASI. Other efficacy measurements included patient and physician global assessments and quality-of-life measures. RESULTS After 12 weeks of treatment, 17 (30%) of the 57 etanercept-treated patients and 1 (2%) of the 55 placebo-treated patients had achieved PASI 75%, and after 24 weeks, 32 (56%) of etanercept-treated patients and 3 (5%) of placebo-treated patients had reached this level (P<.001 for both time points). By 24 weeks, psoriasis was clear or minimal by physician's global assessment in more than 50% of patients who received etanercept. Treatment failure (PASI response <50) occurred in 23% of patients at week 24. All other measures confirmed the efficacy of etanercept. Adverse events were similar among etanercept and placebo groups. CONCLUSION Etanercept monotherapy provided significant benefit to patients with psoriasis and had a favorable safety profile.
IL13 PROMOTER (-1055) POLYMORPHISMS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN TAIWANESE

Interleukin-13 (IL13) −1055 polymorphism has been implicated in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in various studies with conflicting results. The aims of this study are to investigate whether IL13 −1055 polymorphism is associated with the development of COPD in Taiwanese smokers; and to determine if IL13 −1055 polymorphism is associated with the severity of COPD. A case-control study was conducted on COPD patients (n = 85) and healthy smoker (n = 72). Genomic DNA was extracted for genotyping of IL13 sequencing and serum IL-13 was measured using by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After adjusting smoking index and age confounding, the T-allelic frequencies of the IL13 −1055 gene polymorphisms in COPD group are significantly higher than those in control group (18.8% versus 1.4%; P < .001; odds ratio [OR] = 29.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9–145.3); and the frequencies of CT/TT genotypes in COPD group are significantly higher than those in control group (27.1% versus 2.8%; P < .001; OR = 20.0; 95% CI: 3.9–100.8). In COPD patients, stepwise linear regression shows IL13 −1055 T allele is the independent factor associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (P = .007), but not associated with serum IL-13. In conclusion, IL13 −1055 T allele is associated with the development and severity of COPD in Taiwanese smokers.
Access and barriers to mammography in New England community health centers.

BACKGROUND Historically, screening measures for poor patients have been underemployed. As a result, diagnosis of breast cancer is more likely made at later stages in underserved and minority populations. Regular care in community health centers (CHCs) can mitigate this screening inequity. The purpose of this study was to determine the barriers to and frequency of breast cancer screening in New England CHC women, and to compare our findings with the Healthy People 2000 goal of screening 60% of women aged 50 years and older with mammography every 2 years. METHODS A consecutive series survey of 3176 women aged 40 years and older was performed between April 1 and August 31, 1995, at 32 CHCs in six states. RESULTS Completed questionnaires were returned on 2943 patients, including 200 African-American, 2222 white, 370 Hispanic, and 56 Asian women; 932 (32%) were aged 40 to 49 years, and 2011 (68%) were aged 50 and older. Within the preceding 2 years, 2072 (70%) had had a breast examination by a provider. Eighty-seven percent reported that mammography was recommended. More women aged 50 years and older (55%) had had mammography during the last 2 years than women in the 40- to 49-year-old group (45%) (P < .004). The most common reason for not having a mammogram was that the patient thought "the test was not important"; expense and lack of insurance was second. Hispanics had the lowest rates of mammography. CONCLUSIONS Progress is being made toward Healthy People 2000 goals in New England CHC women. Despite low income status, 55% of women aged > or = 50 years had had mammograms within the past 2 years. Once cost is removed as the greatest barrier, improving patient acceptance promises the largest increase in the use of mammography screening.