Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beneficiary selection, use, and charges in two Medicare capitation demonstrations

Findings with regard to health status, service use, and charges are presented for Medicare beneficiaries who received care under Medicare risk contracts with two health maintenance organizations from 1980 through 1982 and for fee-for-service comparison groups. Health status of plan enrollees and fee-for-service beneficiaries were compared using mortality data, preenrollment claims, and self-reported health measures. Patterns of use and expenditures during preenrollment and postenrollment periods were examined using Medicare records and data supplied by the plans.
Comparative analysis of solar radiation‐induced cellular damage between ex vivo porcine skin organ culture and in vitro reconstructed human epidermis

Reconstructed human epidermis models (RHE) constitute an innovative alternative to study phototoxicity and photoprotection in the cosmetic industry. However, little information is currently available concerning the harmful effects of solar‐simulated radiation (SSR) in these in vitro skin models. In this study, the phototoxic effects of a single acute SSR dose of 275 kJ m−2 were evaluated in a validated RHE model (from SkinEthic), and were compared with those obtained from an ex vivo skin organ culture recently developed from domestic pig ears. The RHE model was well differentiated in vitro and released a significant level of the cytosolic enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and extracellular signal‐related kinase 2 (ERK2) protein in the culture medium 24 h after SSR exposure. The SSR‐induced cytotoxicity was related to the formation of sunburn cells and the appearance of DNA damage (thymine dimer and DNA fragmentation) in keratinocytes. Interestingly, these DNA alterations were associated with the activation of the caspase‐3 protease, mainly in the basal layers of the epidermis. In addition, the RHE model responses were comparable with porcine skin following solar irradiation, and none of the above cellular responses was observed in non‐irradiated skin models. Finally, topical application of a broad‐spectrum UVB + A sunscreen formulation efficiently protected both the RHE and pig skin against the deleterious effects of SSR. Thus, both RHE and ex vivo pig skin organ culture models are complementary tools in the assessment of SSR‐induced DNA damage and apoptosis, and they may be used to evaluate the photoprotective capacity of cosmetic formulations.
The influence of hostel servicescapes on social interaction and service experience.

Historically, hostels have been purposely designed to provide the kind of environment that fosters communication and interaction between guests. Hostel guests are typically provided with dormitory-type rooms, shared washrooms, a shared kitchen and communal living areas, thereby offering less privacy and more opportunity for interaction than other accommodation types. However, recent studies have highlighted that due to changes in backpacking trends, there are opposing views of how different aspects of hostel design and services contribute towards guests’ evaluation of their hostel stay. On the one hand, it is suggested that a hostel environment which encourages social interaction adds value to the service experience, while on the other hand an environment that offers extra privacy is more valued. These conflicting demands, in terms of the facilities and services expected within hostel accommodation, demonstrate that some aspects of the current design and core services of hostels may now be redundant. Empirical evidence is needed to illustrate the extent to which hostels are providing the right services and facilities to meet the current requirements of their target market. Such information could potentially be used by hostels to secure more guests, gain market share and keep ahead of the competition. Building on the concept of servicescapes, this research suggests that both the physical and human dimensions of the hostel servicescape have an impact on the guests’ service experience. As hostelling is commonly viewed as a social experience, an investigation of how social interaction among guests enhances the service experience is also vital in understanding the expectations of guests. Additionally, it is also proposed that the hostel servicescape plays an important role in promoting social interaction among its guests. The main contribution of this research is therefore to offer a deeper understanding of the influence of servicescapes on guests’ social interaction and consequently, their evaluation of the overall service experience. In order to achieve the research objectives, a multi-method approach was carried out. The Critical Incident Technique (CIT), adopted during the preliminary study, provided substantive data for the development of the questionnaire survey for the main study. The findings revealed that guests evaluate their service experience favourably when they have a positive perception of not only the physical aspects of the hostel building, but also the behaviours of hostel employees and other hostellers. Their hostel experience is also further enhanced by the opportunity to socialise with other hostellers, therefore indicating that service providers should take the initiative in providing them with the opportunity to do so. The research also showed that it is the trip-related factors, rather than demographic characteristics, that influence how individuals perceive the servicescape, social interaction and service experience of staying in hostels.
Working-class women study social science degrees: remembering enablers and detractors

ABSTRACT In this article, we report on a feminist memory work project conducted with 11 working-class women in Australia. Participants responded to the question: what helps and hinders working-class women study social science degrees? The women confirmed that to succeed at university, they needed opportunities, resources, support and encouragement. We called these enablers and considered the role of ‘enlightened witnesses’ [Miller, 1997. The essential role of an enlightened witness in society. Retrieved from http://www.alice-miller.com/index_en. php? page=2]. Hindering the possibility of university success were detractors of many forms including inadequate resources and social conventions that discouraged the women from study. We describe saboteurs as undermining people and forces that the women had to overcome. We found that enlightened witnesses, broadly conceptualised, go some way but not all, to mitigating detractors and saboteurs that continue to hamper fair and meritocratic access to tertiary education.
Do Children and Adolescents With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Persistent Symptoms Benefit From Treatment? A Systematic Review

Objective:To review the literature on treatment interventions in children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and persistent symptoms. Design:Systematic review of the literature yielding 6 studies incorporating 421 children and adolescents with mTBI. Results:A variety of medical and nonmedical interventions have been used to treat the persistent symptoms of mTBI in children and adolescents. Treatment included medications for headaches, transcranial stimulation for headaches, giving information booklets, nurse visits, cognitive and physical rest, and active rehabilitation (exercise). All 6 studies reported positive results; but none was a randomized controlled trial, only 1 included a no-treatment comparison group, and none compared different interventions. Conclusion:It is difficult to determine whether the positive findings resulted from intervention or reflected natural resolution of the symptoms with time. There is a need for more, higher-quality studies of interventions designed to reduce the duration and severity of persistent postconcussion symptoms.
STUDY REGARDING THE ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF SYRINGAE VULGARIS FLOS F. VIOLÁCEA TINCTURE IN EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES

Recently, the interest in possible health benefits of medicinal plants as antioxidant and hypoglycaemic supplements has increased, due to their phytochemical compounds exhibiting potent antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo antioxidant activity and antidiabetic potential of a tincture of Syringae vulgaris flos f. violacea (SV), properties less investigated for this plant. We evaluated its influence on glycemia and blood antioxidant enzymes activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic in rats, compared to an ethanolic extract of Myrtilli folium (MF), already accepted for its antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Daily administration of ethanolic extracts of SV to diabetic rats reduced blood glucose levels compared to untreated diabetic animals. Blood activity for all antioxidant enzymes was improved in diabetic rats treated with SV extract and we didn’t reported differences between the two tinctures tested. The study provides a scientific validation for the use of Syringae vulgaris flos f. violacea tincture as an adjuvant in the early stages of diabetes in order to prevent its oxidative induced complications. Rezumat In ultimii ani a crescut interesul pentru posibilele beneficii terapeutice ale plantelor medicinale ca suplimente alimentare cu acţiune antioxidantă si hipoglicemiantă datorită constituenţilor lor fitochimici cu puternice proprietăţi antioxidante. Obiectivul studiului a fost evaluarea activităţii antioxidante in vivo si a potenţialului antidiabetic ale tincturii de Syringae vulgaris flos f. violacea (SV), proprietăţi mai puţin investigate pentru această plantă. A fost analizată influenţa acestei tincturi asupra glicemiei si activităţii enzimelor antioxidante asupra sobolanilor cu diabet indus cu
Segmenting a Noisy Low-Depth-of-Field Image Using Adaptive Second-Order Statistics

We propose a novel algorithm to segment a low depth-of-field (DOF) image into its focused region-of-interest (ROI) and defocused background using adaptive second-order statistics (ASOS). Most previous methods depend on the assump -tion that the images are in noise-free conditions, which leads to high false positive rates in noisy images. In this letter, we introduce a novel image segmentation algorithm for noisy low-DOF images. Specifically, we propose a novel feature transform method, called ASOS, which indicates the spatial distribution of the high-frequency components in the face of noisy low-DOF images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective for image segmentation in noisy images compared to several state-of-the-art methods proposed in the literature.
LCAA, a Novel Factor Required for Magnesium Protoporphyrin Monomethylester Cyclase Accumulation and Feedback Control of Aminolevulinic Acid Biosynthesis in Tobacco1[W][OA]

Low Chlorophyll Accumulation A (LCAA) antisense plants were obtained from a screen for genes whose partial down-regulation results in a strong chlorophyll deficiency in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). The LCAA mutants are affected in a plastid-localized protein of unknown function, which is conserved in cyanobacteria and all photosynthetic eukaryotes. They suffer from drastically reduced light-harvesting complex (LHC) contents, while the accumulation of all other photosynthetic complexes per leaf area is less affected. As the disturbed accumulation of LHC proteins could be either attributable to a defect in LHC biogenesis itself or to a bottleneck in chlorophyll biosynthesis, chlorophyll synthesis rates and chlorophyll synthesis intermediates were measured. LCAA antisense plants accumulate magnesium (Mg) protoporphyrin monomethylester and contain reduced protochlorophyllide levels and a reduced content of CHL27, a subunit of the Mg protoporphyrin monomethylester cyclase. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays confirm a direct interaction between LCAA and CHL27. 5-Aminolevulinic acid synthesis rates are increased and correlate with an increased content of glutamyl-transfer RNA reductase. We suggest that LCAA encodes an additional subunit of the Mg protoporphyrin monomethylester cyclase, is required for the stability of CHL27, and contributes to feedback-control of 5-aminolevulinic acid biosynthesis, the rate-limiting step of chlorophyll biosynthesis.
Exploring Differences in the Distribution of Teacher Qualifications Across Mexico and South Korea: Evidence from the Teaching and Learning International Survey

Background/Context Although substantial evidence from the United States indicates that more qualified teachers are disproportionately concentrated among academically and economically advantaged children, little cross-national research has examined the distribution of teacher qualifications across schools and students. As a result, we know little about how different institutional contexts, policies, and priorities influence children's access to qualified teachers. Research Question Our research questions are: (1) Are the qualifications of lower-secondary teachers within and across Mexico and South Korea distributed uniformly across schools? (2) If not, does the distribution of teacher qualifications in each country favor less or more advantaged children? (3) How can dissimilarities in teacher-related policies and educational priorities help to explain differences in the distribution of teacher qualifications across Mexico and South Korea? Research Design We employ secondary analysis of data from the Teaching and Learning International Survey, which was conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2007/2008. We use these data to describe the distribution of various teacher qualifications across communities of different sizes and across schools with varying levels of parental education. We also explore cross-national differences in institutional priorities and teacher-related policies. We compare Mexico and South Korea because while these two countries are similar in the level of teacher hiring and assignment, they are quite different in terms of their general commitment to educational equity. Findings/Results We find that the distribution of qualified teachers in South Korea is skewed toward disadvantaged children, while Mexican teachers tend to be distributed in a way that favors more advantaged students. Specifically, in South Korea students living in rural areas and those in schools with lower average parental education have greater access to better educated and more experienced teachers. The opposite occurs in Mexico. Conclusions/Recommendations We argue that these differences are due to both explicit policies and a greater commitment to educational equity in South Korea, relative to Mexico. Moreover, these differences are likely to be related to large cross-national differences in educational performance and equity.
Rates of Progression in Diabetic Retinopathy During Different Time Periods

OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis reviews rates of progression of diabetic retinopathy to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and/or severe visual loss (SVL) and temporal trends. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This systematic literature review and meta-analysis of prospective studies assesses progression of retinopathy among diabetic patients without treatment for retinopathy at baseline. Studies published between 1975 to February 2008 were identified. Outcomes of interest were rates of progression to PDR and/or SVL. Pooled baseline characteristics and outcome measures were summarized using weighted averages of counts and means. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between two periods: 1975–1985 and 1986–2008. RESULTS A total of 28 studies comprising 27,120 diabetic patients (mean age 49.8 years) were included. After 4 years, pooled incidence rates for PDR and SVL were 11.0 and 7.2%, respectively. Rates were lower among participants in 1986–2008 than in 1975–1985. After 10 years, similar patterns were observed. Participants in 1986–2008 studies had lower proportions of PDR and non-PDR at all time points than participants in 1975–1985 studies. CONCLUSIONS Since 1985, diabetic patients have lower rates of progression to PDR and SVL. These findings may reflect an increased awareness of retinopathy risk factors; earlier identification and initiation of care for patients with retinopathy; and improved medical management of glucose, blood pressure, and serum lipids. Differences in baseline characteristics, particularly in the prevalence and severity of retinopathy, could also have contributed to these temporal differences.
Youth organizations and the reproduction of nationalism in Britain: the role of Urdd Gobaith Cymru

Abstract Youth organizations have long played significant roles in promoting particular forms of nationalism among young people in the UK. To date, however, academic studies of UK youth organizations have been Anglocentric, focusing on youth organizations associated with a hegemonic British state and imperial project. This paper seeks to show how youth organizations have also been used to promote alternative forms of nationalism in the UK, which have sought to challenge a British state and imperial project. Focusing explicitly on Wales, it examines how Urdd Gobaith Cymru – the Welsh League of Youth – has played a significant role over the past 90 years in promoting a Welsh and Welsh-speaking citizenship amongst Welsh youth. Drawing on documentary and archival research, the paper discusses how the organization has fostered particular practices and identities among its members and the way in which these have been challenged in recent years; most notably as a result of a decline in the numbers of Welsh speakers in Wales and changing configurations of the meanings of Welshness. The paper concludes by arguing for the need to take seriously the role played by youth organizations in helping to shape political geographies in a devolved Britain.
A lossless image coder with context-based minimizing MSE prediction and entropy coding

In this paper, a novel gray-scale lossless image coder, based on context-based minimizing mean squared error (MMSE) prediction and entropy coding, is proposed. The proposed algorithm consists of a prediction stage and an entropy coding stage. To obtain the context of prediction, classification of directional edges is employed, which characterizes two-dimensional image behaviors, such as edge and smooth region. Based on the context model, adaptive DPCM prediction coefficients are obtained in the MMSE sense. The MMSE method based on a context-by-context basis decorrelates the neighboring pixels very effectively in the prediction stage. In the entropy coding stage, the context modeling techniques also provide an improved coding gain. To exploit the statistical redundancy still remaining in the residual image, many contexts are preset in the entropy coding stage, and merged into a small number of contexts for complexity reduction. From experimental results, it is found that the proposed lossless coding scheme slightly outperforms the CALIC which is known to achieve the highest compression ratio in entropy coding.
Genetic Background of Hirschsprung Disease: A Bridge Between Basic Science and Clinical Application

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder, defined by partial or complete loss of the neuronal ganglion cells in the intestinal tract, which is caused by the failure of neural crest cells to migrate completely during intestinal development during fetal life. HSCR has a multifactorial etiology, and genetic factors play a key role in its pathogenesis; these include mutations within several gene loci. These have been identified by screening candidate genes, or by conducting genome wide association (GWAS) studies. However, only a small portion of them have been proposed as major genetic risk factors for the HSCR. In this review, we focus on those genes that have been identified as either low penetrant or high penetrant variants that determine the risk of Hirschsprung's disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 28–33, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relational dimension of knowledge sharing: an empirical stud of an industrial research group

Knowledge sharing is of central importance for many organizations. Since knowledge sharing is that important for organizations, much research has delved into factors determining the amount and quality of knowledge sharing within organizations. This paper will focus on the relational and motivational dimension of knowledge sharing, since this dimension of knowledge sharing is not fully understood. Past research has yielded a variety of fragmentary and sometimes contradictory results. We will show how relation models theory is able to integrate different existing models of knowledge sharing, such as gift giving and internal knowledge markets, and might be able to explain contradictory research findings. Second, based upon a field study of knowledge sharing within an industrial research group, it will be showed that relation models theory is a useful tool for analyzing knowledge sharing in practice. Since the industrial researchers studied were quite successful in sharing knowledge, we reflect upon to what extent the lessons learned can be applied for other organizations.
Semi-automatic Composition ofWeb Services using Semantic Descriptions

As web services become more prevalent, tools will be needed to help users find, filter and integrate these services. Composing existing services to obtain new functionality will prove to be essential for both business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. We have developed a prototype that guides a user in the dynamic composition of web services. Our semi-automatic process includes presenting matching services to the user at each step of a composition, filtering the possibilities by using semantic descriptions of the services. The generated composition is then directly executable through the WSDL grounding of the services. We tested our system by generating semantic descriptions for some of the common services available on the web such as translator, dictionary and map services. We also applied our approach to a prototype sensor network environment where each sensor provides its data as
Characterization of non‐producer human cells induced by kirsten sarcoma virus

Non‐producer (NP) human cells induced by the Kirsten sarcoma virus were characterized. These morphologically altered NP cells produced neither infectious virus nor complement‐fixing antigens of the murine sarcoma—leukemia virus complex. The NP cells did not release RNA‐dependent DNA polymerase and type‐C virus particles with a density of approximately 1.15 g/ml in sucrose gradients by 3H‐uridine labelling. The NP cells produced tumors when transplanted subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The tumor cells re‐established in culture resembled the original NP cells, were confirmed as human cells by karyological analysis and were also found to be “nonproducer”. The sarcoma virus genome in NP cells could be rescued not only by co‐cultivation with “helper virus”‐releasing cells but also by superinfection with helper type‐C viruses. Murine (Rauscher, Ki‐MuLV, AT‐124 and two other xenotropic viruses), feline, RD‐114 and Simian (woolly monkey and baboon) type‐C viruses possessed the ability to rescue the sarcoma genome from NP cells but not AKR leukemia virus. In addition, the feline leukemia virus titer obtained by the rescuing technique in NP cells was the same as those obtained in feline embryo and NP cells by CF induction assay.
Joint Conference of BASEM and BASES 001 TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT AND GOLF : IMPACT ON PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE

s. Joint Conference of BASEM