Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of insurance coverage, perceived access to care, and use of mental health specialty care.

OBJECTIVE To assess the impacts of recent state mental health parity legislation on perceived quality of health insurance coverage, perceived access to needed health care, and use of mental health specialty services by individuals with likely need for mental health care. DATA SOURCES The study sample came from two waves of a national household survey first fielded in 1997-1998 and then in 2000-2001. The analysis used a subset of the sample. STUDY DESIGN The study took the Difference-in-Difference-in-Difference approach to investigate changes in self-perceived quality of health insurance coverage and access to needed health care, and use of mental health specialty care by the group with mental disorders (relative to those without) in states with parity legislation of different comprehensiveness (relative to the nonparity states) in the years after the law (relative to before the law). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Overall, there were no significant or consistent effects of the parity legislation. Descriptive statistics showed significant changes in some (but not all) outcome variables, but these results disappeared in detailed statistical analyses by controlling for important covariates. CONCLUSIONS The null findings of the effects of state mental health parity mandates suggest that under ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act), the scope of state parity legislation may have been restricted because of large proportion of self-insured employers. Furthermore, comprehensiveness of state legislation appears to be related to the traditional level of use of mental health specialty care, which becomes another confounder for the potential policy effects.
Truce Breaking and Remaking: The CEO's Role in Changing Organizational Routines

This paper reports on the “CEO’s-eye-view” of the 1990 commercial real estate crisis at Citibank using unique data from CEO John Reed’s private archives. This qualitative analysis sheds light on questions that have perennially plagued executives and intrigued scholars: How do organizations change routines in order to overcome inertia in the face of radical change in the environment? And, specifically, what is the role of the CEO in this process? Inertial behavior in such circumstances has been attributed to ingrained routines that are based on cognitive and motivational truces. Routines are performed because organizational participants find them to cohere to a particular cognitive frame about what should be done (the cognitive dimension) and to resolve conflicts about what gets rewarded or sanctioned (the motivational dimension). The notion of a “truce” explains how routines are “routinely” activated. Routines are inertial because the dissolution of the truce would be inconsistent with frames held by organizational participants and fraught with the risk of unleashing unmanageable conflict among interests in the organization. Thus, the challenge for the CEO in making intended change is both to break the existing truce and to remake a new one. In this study, I uncover how the existing organizational truce led to the crisis at Citibank, why Reed’s initial attempts to respond failed, and how he ultimately found ways to break out of the old truce and establish new routines that helped the bank survive. These findings offer insight into the cognitive and motivational microfoundations of macro theories about organizational response to radical change.
Automatic 3-D Manipulation of Soft Objects by Robotic Arms With an Adaptive Deformation Model

In this paper, we present a new feedback method to automatically servo-control the 3-D shape of soft objects with robotic manipulators. The soft object manipulation problem has recently received a great deal of attention from robotics researchers because of its potential applications in, e.g., food industry, home robots, medical robotics, and manufacturing. A major complication to automatically control the shape of an object is the estimation of its deformation properties, which determines how the manipulator's motion actively transforms into deformations. Note that these properties are rarely known beforehand, and its offline parametric identification is difficult and/or impractical to conduct in many applications. To cope with this issue, we developed a new algorithm that computes in real time the unknown deformation parameters of a soft object; this algorithm provides a valuable adaptive behavior to the deformation controller, something we cannot achieve with traditional fixed-model approaches. In contrast with most controllers in the literature, our new method can explicitly servo-control 3-D deformations (and not just 2-D image projections) in an entirely model-free way. To validate the proposed adaptive controller, we present a detailed experimental study with robotic manipulators.
Deconstructing the community radio model: Applying practice to theory in East Africa

Community radio is often theorized as being (1) independent from political and economic influence and (2) a platform for the meaningful engagement of marginalized populations traditionally excluded by its private and commercial cousins. Contrasting this theoretical model against the reality of practice, this study argues that the theorized benefits of community radio are unlikely to be realized given the reality of donor, rather than community, funding structures. Voices from 64 in-depth interviews reveal a community radio environment in East Africa that is significantly influenced by the interests – both political and economic – of external donors. Rather than engendering meaningful participation in media-making, this study also demonstrates that donor funding has caused some communities to assume recipient roles in the communication process.
Towards Living Inter-organizational Processes

Business Process Management (BPM) has gained significant adoption in practice for enabling organizations to increase their effectiveness, efficiency, and flexibility. This broad adoption has not only been fostered by a rich and well-established theory to model, analyze, simulate, and enact business processes, but also by internationally accepted standards and mature technologies. Caused by the ever increasing speed and volatility of markets and the dynamics of new technologies, such as cloud infrastructures and mobile communications, we face a new generation of business processes, which we refer to as living inter-organizational processes. Such processes are not in control of one single organization, instead, they are enacted by multiple organizations, where no participating party possesses full control over the entire process. Such processes often involve a high number of actors that might even be unknown in advance. These actors require various degrees in participation, they are acting in heterogeneous environments. Moreover, such processes are often weakly structured or designed in an ad-hoc manner, and have to be continuously subject to evolution. Unfortunately, existing theories, methodologies, and technologies cannot cope with this challenging combination of aspects, which all have to be considered when dealing with living inter-organizational processes. The state of the art typically addresses singular aspects in isolation. However, a holistic approach to these challenges bears a tremendous potential. This paper aims to contribute towards a holistic approach to living inter-organizational processes. To this end, we describe different perspectives on inter-organizational processes and identify challenges for making them living processes.
Algorithmics on SLP-compressed strings: A survey

Abstract. Results on algorithmic problems on strings that are given in a compressed form via straight-line programs are surveyed. A straight-line program is a context-free grammar that generates exactly one string. In this way, exponential compression rates can be achieved. Among others, we study pattern matching for compressed strings, membership problems for compressed strings in various kinds of formal languages, and the problem of querying compressed strings. Applications in combinatorial group theory and computational topology and to the solution of word equations are discussed as well. Finally, extensions to compressed trees and pictures are considered.
Temperament Styles of Children in South Korea and the United States

Temperament styles of 4,628 South Korean children, ages 9—17, are described in reference to possible gender and age differences and compared with those of 3,200 US age peers in the light of Jung’s theory of temperament as modified by Myers and Briggs, one that highlights four bipolar qualities: extroversion—introversion, practical—imaginative, thinking—feeling and organized—flexible styles. It was found that South Korean children strongly prefer extroverted to introverted, imaginative to practical, feeling to thinking and flexible to organized styles. In contrast to South Korean males, South Korean females are more likely to prefer extroverted, feeling and organized styles. Age differences are seen on all four styles, with children generally expressing a greater preference for introverted, practical, feeling and flexible styles with age. In contrast to US children, South Korean children are more likely to express preferences for extroverted, imaginative, feeling and flexible styles. These preferences also are more frequent in South Korean than US males and females as well as all four age groups. Findings and implications of this study are discussed.
A comparison between singing pitching strategies of 8 to 11 year olds and trained adult singers

A microcomputer-based system known as SINGAD (SINGing Assessment and Development) is described which enables note pitching ability to be assessed and developed. Versions of the SINGAD system currently exist for the BBC and Atari range of computers and work is currently in progress on a version for PC compatible machines. This paper describes results from a SINGAD experiment in which the pitching abilities were assessed of 175 children aged between 8 and 11 years inclusive attending a York primary school. The assessment was made against computer generated musically meaningful three note patterns from the major tonic triad of Bb 3. Each child responded to 15 such three note stimuli. A marked contrast between the pitching abilities of boys and girls is observed and discussed in relation to SINGAD assessment data gathered from a group of trained adult singers.
β3 integrin–mediated spreading induced by matrix-bound BMP-2 controls Smad signaling in a stiffness-independent manner

Matrix-bound BMP-2 is sufficient to induce β3 integrin–dependent, Cdc42/Src/FAK/ILK-mediated cell spreading by overriding the stiffness response through actin and adhesion site dynamics, showing BMP receptors and integrins work together to control signaling and tensional homeostasis, thereby coupling cell adhesion and fate commitment.
The efficacy of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin in the treatment of interstitial cystitis: long-term followup.

PURPOSE Interstitial cystitis is a severe debilitating bladder disease characterized by unrelenting pelvic pain and urinary frequency. A prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled study of the use of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in the treatment of interstitial cystitis was recently completed with a mean followup of 8 months. Results demonstrated a 60% BCG response rate, compared to a 27% placebo response rate. We now report the long-term followup results of those patients who received intravesical BCG. MATERIALS AND METHODS Subjects randomized to receive BCG were followed at routine intervals with questionnaires and voiding diaries identical to those in the blinded study. Adverse events were closely monitored in the treatment and followup phases of the study. Subject baseline values were compared to followup data. RESULTS Of the BCG responders mean followup was 27 months (range 24 to 33), and 8 of 9 (89%) continue to have an excellent response in all parameters measured. The global interstitial cystitis survey improved 70%, daily voids decreased 31%, nocturia improved 54%, mean voided volume increased 61%, pelvic pain decreased 81%, vaginal pain decreased 71%, urgency decreased 71% and dysuria decreased 82%. Overall well-being improved 54% and the Rand-36 quality of life survey overall improved 64%. In 86% of the patients (6 of 7) dyspareunia resolved. Of the initial BCG nonresponders there was no significant difference in interstitial cystitis symptomatology from baseline to last followup, suggesting that BCG does not worsen interstitial cystitis symptoms. No long-term adverse events from BCG were noted. CONCLUSIONS Intravesical Tice BCG is safe, effective and durable in the treatment of interstitial cystitis. Of those patients who received only 6 weekly treatments and responded favorably 89% continue to have an excellent response with followup ranging from 24 to 33 months.
Inflammatory dendritic cells—not basophils—are necessary and sufficient for induction of Th2 immunity to inhaled house dust mite allergen

It is unclear how Th2 immunity is induced in response to allergens like house dust mite (HDM). Here, we show that HDM inhalation leads to the TLR4/MyD88-dependent recruitment of IL-4 competent basophils and eosinophils, and of inflammatory DCs to the draining mediastinal nodes. Depletion of basophils only partially reduced Th2 immunity, and depletion of eosinophils had no effect on the Th2 response. Basophils did not take up inhaled antigen, present it to T cells, or express antigen presentation machinery, whereas a population of FceRI+ DCs readily did. Inflammatory DCs were necessary and sufficient for induction of Th2 immunity and features of asthma, whereas basophils were not required. We favor a model whereby DCs initiate and basophils amplify Th2 immunity to HDM allergen.
University Financing Alternatives: The German Example

Germany consists of sixteen federal states (Lander). According to the Basic Law, the Lander are responsible for education, science, and culture. The Lander support the institutions of higher education financially, making the largest contributions to university funding (90 percent). Following the formulation of the "Incentives and Accountability" leitmotiv, substantial changes have taken place over recent years in relation to the financing of higher education. A change of paradigm occurred that involved movement from detailed input-oriented state control to an output-oriented form of global control. Currently, almost all the Lander are working with highly flexible institutional budgets and with indicator-based allocations of funds. A new salary scheme for professors, based on performance criteria, has been introduced. In some Lander, contracts between state and universities--which describe the performances expected of the institutions-- have been concluded.
Reducing the power consumption in LTE‐Advanced wireless access networks by a capacity based deployment tool

As both the bit rate required by applications on mobile devices and the number of those mobile devices are steadily growing, wireless access networks need to be expanded. As wireless networks also consume a lot of energy, it is important to develop energy‐efficient wireless access networks in the near future. In this study, a capacity‐based deployment tool for the design of energy‐efficient wireless access networks is proposed. Capacity‐based means that the network responds to the instantaneous bit rate requirements of the users active in the selected area. To the best of our knowledge, such a deployment tool for energy‐efficient wireless access networks has never been presented before. This deployment tool is applied to a realistic case in Ghent, Belgium, to investigate three main functionalities incorporated in LTE‐Advanced: carrier aggregation, heterogeneous deployments, and Multiple‐Input Multiple‐Output (MIMO). The results show that it is recommended to introduce femtocell base stations, supporting both MIMO and carrier aggregation, into the network (heterogeneous deployment) to reduce the network's power consumption. For the selected area and the assumptions made, this results in a power consumption reduction up to 70%. Introducing femtocell base stations without MIMO and carrier aggregation can already result in a significant power consumption reduction of 38%.
Clinical and microbiological effect of scaling and root planing in smoker and non-smoker chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) on clinical and microbiological parameters at selected sites in smoker and non-smoker chronic and generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), relative attachment level (RAL), and bleeding upon probing (BOP), and subgingival plaque samples were taken from four sites in 28 chronic periodontitis (CP) and 17 generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) patients before and after SRP. Polymerase chain reaction assays were used to determine the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis, Prevotella intermedia and Treponema denticola. RESULTS Both CP and GAgP non-smokers had significantly greater reduction in pocket depth (1.0+/-1.3 mm in CP smokers versus 1.7+/-1.4 mm in non-smokers, p=0.007 and 1.3+/-1.0 in GAgP smokers versus 2.4+/-1.2 mm in GAgP non-smokers, p<0.001) than respective non-smokers, with a significant decrease in Tannerella forsythensis in CP sites (smokers 25% increase and non-smokers 36.3% decrease, p<0.001) and Prevotella intermedia at GAgP sites (smokers 25% reduction versus 46.9% in non-smokers, p=0.028). CONCLUSION SRP was effective in reducing clinical parameters in both groups. The inferior improvement in PD following therapy for smokers may reflect the systemic effects of smoking on the host response and the healing process. The lesser reduction in microflora and greater post-therapy prevalence of organisms may reflect the deeper pockets seen in smokers and poorer clearance of the organisms. These detrimental consequences for smokers appear consistent in both aggressive and CP.
Getting unstuck: the One World Youth Arts Project, the music education paradigm, and youth without advantage

The purpose of this paper is to discuss, utilising Miller's theoretical framework for social justice, findings of a research study examining the dramatic musical and educational results of an alternative music education programme in Toronto, Canada. What is particularly striking about the findings are the ways in which the participants (youth without advantage) claimed their subjectivity through highly personal music making – ‘authoring’ themselves in ways not dependent on a priori cultural capital. By emphasising diversity, individuality, collaboration, and non-traditional views of ‘musical literacy’, the ‘One World Youth Arts Project’ fostered in students a sense of dignity, self-worth, and empowerment that they employed in order to succeed both in and out of school.
Self-assessment of language proficiency: rationale and applications

During the last 10 years there has been a surge of interest in methods for self- assessment of foreign language proficiency. Work has been undertaken in many parts of the world and several reports on both theoretical and practical issues have been published recently. This paper outlines the justification for adopting self-assessment principles in language teaching and learning, makes references to research and sources supporting the statements made, and also presents some ideas and materials that illustrate developments taking place.
Circulating microRNAs Reveal Time Course of Organ Injury in a Porcine Model of Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Failure

Acute liver failure is a rare but catastrophic condition which can progress rapidly to multi-organ failure. Studies investigating the onset of individual organ injury such as the liver, kidneys and brain during the evolution of acute liver failure, are lacking. MicroRNAs are short, non-coding strands of RNA that are released into the circulation following tissue injury. In this study, we have characterised the release of both global microRNA and specific microRNA species into the plasma using a porcine model of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure. Pigs were induced to acute liver failure with oral acetaminophen over 19h±2h and death occurred 13h±3h thereafter. Global microRNA concentrations increased 4h prior to acute liver failure in plasma (P<0.0001) but not in isolated exosomes, and were associated with increasing plasma levels of the damage-associated molecular pattern molecule, genomic DNA (P<0.0001). MiR122 increased around the time of onset of acute liver failure (P<0.0001) and was associated with increasing international normalised ratio (P<0.0001). MiR192 increased 8h after acute liver failure (P<0.0001) and was associated with increasing creatinine (P<0.0001). The increase in miR124-1 occurred concurrent with the pre-terminal increase in intracranial pressure (P<0.0001) and was associated with decreasing cerebral perfusion pressure (P<0.002). Conclusions MicroRNAs were released passively into the circulation in response to acetaminophen-induced cellular damage. A significant increase in global microRNA was detectable prior to significant increases in miR122, miR192 and miR124-1, which were associated with clinical evidence of liver, kidney and brain injury respectively.
Influence of Information on Consumers' Evaluations Using Check‐All‐That‐Apply Questions and Sorting: A Case Study with Milk Desserts

Consumer perception of food products is a very complex phenomenon that is influenced by a wide range of characteristics. In particular, consumer perception of the sensory characteristics of food products can be strongly affected by information and expectations. Thus, the comparison of product characterizations from blind and informed conditions can provide a valuable insight about the impact of information on consumer perception of food products. In this context, the aim of the present work was to present a case study in which the influence of information on results of product characterizations of milk desserts from two methodologies, check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions and sorting, was studied. Six commercial vanilla milk desserts were evaluated under blind and informed conditions by two groups of 50 consumers using CATA questions and sorting. Results showed that information had a small impact on overall liking scores and product characterizations, suggesting that consumers' perception of the desserts was mainly determined by their sensory characteristics. Practical Applications The influence of information was larger for the sorting task than for check-all-that-apply question, as expected, due to the fact that this last methodology was based exclusively on the perception of the sensory characteristics of the samples. Sorting tasks showed that consumers' categorizations under informed conditions were mainly related to the samples' sensory characteristics, and that information only had a limited influence. The comparison of blind and informed sorting tasks might enable one to determine the relative influence of package information on consumer perception of food products, which may be an interesting way of studying the impact of previous expectations and nonsensory variables on consumer perception.