Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Change is possible": Patients' experience of a multimodal chronic pain rehabilitation programme.

OBJECTIVE To explore patients' experiences of activity, participation and quality of life one year after a rehabilitation programme for chronic pain, and to determine the impact of the programme on their current life situation. DESIGN Qualitative study with emergent design. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The 14 informants were patients with chronic pain who had participated in rehabilitation at a pain clinic. Individual semi-structured interviews were analysed with inductive, qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The core theme "Change is possible" and the themes "A life ruled by pain" (the situation before rehabilitation), "The penny's dropped" (experience during rehabilitation) and "Live a life, not only survive" (the situation at the time of the interviews) emerged from the data. These themes represent a process through which, during and after rehabilitation, the informants integrated earlier disabling symptoms into a functioning lifestyle. CONCLUSION Individuals living with disabling chronic pain can create a better life by integrating their illness. A prerequisite is that healthcare professionals empower patients to develop the strength to take responsibility for their daily lives. This process is facilitated by skills to reduce pain and handle life, plus support from significant others.
Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce the Influence of Trust on Internet Banking Acceptance

The theory of diffusion of innovation (IDT) has been widely used to examine factors that influence an individual to adopt an innovation or a new technology. In online environment, trust has been suggested to play an important role in influencing one's acceptance of an innovation. The purpose of this study is to test empirically the influence-2-of trust together with some of the attributes of IDT on Internet banking acceptance. We surveyed 1164 business students and MBAs in four public universities in Malaysia. A structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results show that trust, relative advantage, and trialability, have a significant effect on attitude toward using Internet banking. Consequently, attitude significantly affects the intention to use the technology.
Microdosimetric Analysis Confirms Similar Biological Effectiveness of External Exposure to Gamma-Rays and Internal Exposure to 137Cs, 134Cs, and 131I

The risk of internal exposure to 137Cs, 134Cs, and 131I is of great public concern after the accident at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE, defined herein as effectiveness of internal exposure relative to the external exposure to γ-rays) is occasionally believed to be much greater than unity due to insufficient discussions on the difference of their microdosimetric profiles. We therefore performed a Monte Carlo particle transport simulation in ideally aligned cell systems to calculate the probability densities of absorbed doses in subcellular and intranuclear scales for internal exposures to electrons emitted from 137Cs, 134Cs, and 131I, as well as the external exposure to 662 keV photons. The RBE due to the inhomogeneous radioactive isotope (RI) distribution in subcellular structures and the high ionization density around the particle trajectories was then derived from the calculated microdosimetric probability density. The RBE for the bystander effect was also estimated from the probability density, considering its non-linear dose response. The RBE due to the high ionization density and that for the bystander effect were very close to 1, because the microdosimetric probability densities were nearly identical between the internal exposures and the external exposure from the 662 keV photons. On the other hand, the RBE due to the RI inhomogeneity largely depended on the intranuclear RI concentration and cell size, but their maximum possible RBE was only 1.04 even under conservative assumptions. Thus, it can be concluded from the microdosimetric viewpoint that the risk from internal exposures to 137Cs, 134Cs, and 131I should be nearly equivalent to that of external exposure to γ-rays at the same absorbed dose level, as suggested in the current recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Noncooperative Cellular Wireless with Unlimited Numbers of Base Station Antennas

A cellular base station serves a multiplicity of single-antenna terminals over the same time-frequency interval. Time-division duplex operation combined with reverse-link pilots enables the base station to estimate the reciprocal forward- and reverse-link channels. The conjugate-transpose of the channel estimates are used as a linear precoder and combiner respectively on the forward and reverse links. Propagation, unknown to both terminals and base station, comprises fast fading, log-normal shadow fading, and geometric attenuation. In the limit of an infinite number of antennas a complete multi-cellular analysis, which accounts for inter-cellular interference and the overhead and errors associated with channel-state information, yields a number of mathematically exact conclusions and points to a desirable direction towards which cellular wireless could evolve. In particular the effects of uncorrelated noise and fast fading vanish, throughput and the number of terminals are independent of the size of the cells, spectral efficiency is independent of bandwidth, and the required transmitted energy per bit vanishes. The only remaining impairment is inter-cellular interference caused by re-use of the pilot sequences in other cells (pilot contamination) which does not vanish with unlimited number of antennas.
Evaluation of LDR, tone mapped and HDR stereo matching using cost-volume filtering approach

We present stereo matching solutions based on a fast cost-volume filtering approach for High Dynamic Range (HDR) scenes. Multi-exposed stereo images are captured and used to generate HDR and Tone Mapped (TM) images of the left and right views. We perform stereo matching on conventional, Low Dynamic Range (LDR) images, original HDR, as well as TM images by customizing the matching algorithm for each of them. An evaluation on the disparity maps computed from the different approaches demonstrates that stereo matching on HDR images outperforms conventional LDR stereo matching and TM stereo matching, with the most discriminative disparity maps achieved by using HDR color information and log-luminance gradient values for matching cost calculation.
Comparison of the characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells obtained from prostate tumors and from bone marrow cultured in conditioned medium

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common type of cancer worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can also be utilized as ‘tumor stromal cells’, which are associated with invasive and metastatic malignant tumor cells. Our study aimed to investigate MSCs in prostate tumors and normal MSCs and evaluate their differential characteristics. Normal MSCs (BMMSCs) were isolated from the femur and tibia of normal mice; prostate tumor MSCs (PCa-MSCs) were obtained from prostate tumors implanted in mice. These two types of MSCs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes, bone cells and chondrocytes. Growth curves were used to analyze the growth ability of PCa-MSCs and BMMSCs. Tritium-labeled thymidine (3H-TdR) was used to evaluate cell proliferation of RM-1 stimulated by MSCs. The time taken for PCa-MSCs to reach 90% confluence was markedly shorter than that of BMMSCs (8–10 vs. 12–14 days). The differentiation ability of PCa-MSCs was similar to that described in previous reports. The growth ability of PCa-MSCs was significantly higher than that of BMMSCs. The proliferative activity of PCa-MSCs was also higher than that of BMMSCs. Our data showed that PCa-MSCs exhibit identical characteristics when compared with those of MSCs. Additionally, their proliferative activity and growth ability were significantly higher when compared with these values in BMMSCs, which appear to have an intrinsic, cell-specific capacity to localize to PCa. The possible role of PCa-MSCs in the process of PCa development requires further clarification.
Linking Romantic Attachment and Self-Injury: The Roles of the Behavioural Systems

Attachment theory is considered an explanatory framework for understanding non-suicidal self-injury. Despite theoretical postulations, few studies have examined links between romantic attachment and its interconnected systems (the caregiving and sexual systems) and self-injury. This study investigated whether self-injurious thoughts and behaviours could be predicted by the functioning of the three systems. Two-hundred and sixty-three young adults participated in the study. Results revealed that participants endorsing self-injurious thoughts experience greater attachment anxiety and avoidance, controlling and compulsive romantic caregiving behaviours, and lower sexual satisfaction than participants with no thoughts. Conversely, findings indicate that the behavioural systems did not predict self-injurious behaviours. Such findings suggest that dimensions of the three interrelated behavioural systems hold unique roles in understanding young adult self-injurious thoughts, and that the constructs that predict self-injurious thoughts may differ from those that predict self-injurious behaviours.
Cardiomyocyte mitochondria as targets of humoral factors released by remote ischemic preconditioning

Introduction Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) reduces myocardial infarct size, and protection can be transferred with plasma to other individuals, even across species. Mitochondria are the end-effectors of cardioprotection by local ischemic conditioning maneuvers. We have now analyzed mitochondrial function in response to RIPC. Material and methods Plasma from pigs undergoing placebo or RIPC (infarct size reduction by 67% in RIPC pigs compared to placebo) was transferred to isolated perfused rat hearts subjected to 30 min global ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion for infarct size measurement. Additional experiments were terminated at 10 min reperfusion to isolate mitochondria for functional measurements. Effects of RIPC pig plasma were compared to local ischemic preconditioning (IPC) or to infusion of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Results Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) induced an infarct of 41 ±2% of total ventricular mass. Placebo pig plasma did not affect infarct size (38 ±1, p = 0.13). The RIPC pig plasma reduced infarct size (27 ±2, p < 0.001), as did IPC (20 ±1, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (28 ±2, p < 0.001). Associated with cardioprotection, reductions of mitochondrial adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-stimulated respiration, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and calcium retention capacity (CRC) by I/R and placebo pig plasma were prevented by RIPC pig plasma, as they were by IPC and TNF-α. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production (nmol H2O2/100 µg protein) induced by I/R (272 ±34) was comparable in response to placebo pig plasma (234 ±28, p = 0.37) and was reduced by RIPC pig plasma (83 ±15, p < 0.001) as well as by IPC (78 ±21, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (125 ±42, p = 0.002). Conclusions In rat myocardium, mitochondria are an intracellular target of protection induced by humoral factors retrieved from pigs undergoing RIPC.
Conscientiousness, Health and Longevity: Exploring explanatory mechanisms

Conscientiousness is positively associated with health and longevity. Evidence has suggested that conscientiousness can influence health via engagement in health behaviours. More recently, research has focussed upon alternative pathways through which conscientiousness may convey its desirable effects. Questionnaire methods were utilised to examine the association between conscientiousness and health behaviours (study 1). Behavioural intention was explored as a mediator of the conscientiousness–fruit and vegetable consumption relationship, with results indicating that behavioural intention fully mediated the relationship. Conscientiousness was also shown to predict health behaviour guideline adherence, when health behaviours were examined independently and simultaneously (study 2). Findings indicated greater levels of adherence in individuals high in conscientiousness. Factor analysis revealed that the items employed to measure the facets of industriousness, order, self-control, virtue and traditionalism are reliable and represent separate lower order facets of conscientiousness. Meanwhile, the items employed to measure the facet of responsibility require revision. Study 3 assessed psychological and physiological reactivity in response to stress in individuals with different levels of conscientiousness. Differential effects were seen between the conscientiousness groups, and primary appraisals were identified as being important for dealing with anticipated stress physiologically. Daily diaries and multi-level modelling were employed to assess the effects of daily hassles on unhealthy between-meal snacking in individuals high and low in conscientiousness (study 4). An implementation intention based intervention was also delivered, and experimental condition and conscientiousness were assessed as moderators of the daily hassle–unhealthy snacking association. Conscientiousness was shown to moderate the relationship with a greater association seen between daily hassles and unhealthy snacking in individuals low in conscientiousness. Condition also moderated this relationship, with individuals assigned to the active control condition consuming fewer unhealthy snacks on more stressful days. This thesis has provided evidence to support the roles of behavioural intention and stress in the conscientiousness-health association, and has highlighted multiple relations between these factors.
Turbulent Driving Scales in Molecular Clouds

Supersonic turbulence in molecular clouds is a dominant agent that strongly affects the clouds' evolution and star formation activity. Turbulence may be initiated and maintained by a number of processes, acting at a wide range of physical scales. By examining the dynamical state of molecular clouds, it is possible to assess the primary candidates for how the turbulent energy is injected. The aim of this paper is to constrain the scales at which turbulence is driven in the molecular interstellar medium, by comparing simulated molecular spectral line observations of numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models and molecular spectral line observations of real molecular clouds. We use principal component analysis, applied to both models and observational data, to extract a quantitative measure of the driving scale of turbulence. We find that only models driven at large scales (comparable to, or exceeding, the size of the cloud) are consistent with observations. This result applies also to clouds with little or no internal star formation activity. Astrophysical processes acting on large scales, including supernova-driven turbulence, magnetorotational instability, or spiral shock forcing, are viable candidates for the generation and maintenance of molecular cloud turbulence. Small scale driving by sources internal to molecular clouds, such as outflows, can be important on small scales, but cannot replicate the observed large-scale velocity fluctuations in the molecular interstellar medium.
The Effect of Information Quality and Satisfaction on a Parent’s Behavioral Intention to Use a Learning Community Management System

Abstract Web-based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications offer benefits in managing interactions between stakeholders. As a result, schools are increasingly adopting them. Consequently, a holistic picture of the factors that contribute to ICT adoption and use in such settings is needed. Since DeLone and McLean (1992) showed the effect of information and system quality on user satisfaction and, in turn, on information system use, researchers have investigated these effects. Most such studies have been conducted in North America and Europe, however. Addressing this deficiency in application, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of parents of children at Queens College in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to determine the effects of information quality and user satisfaction on their behavioral intention to use a learning community management system (LCMS) in a K–12 educational setting. The results of our analyses confirmed that those factors had significant effect, with satisfaction being the most influential determinant. The implications for educational policymakers and software/system vendors are discussed.
Explanatory models and psychiatric pluralism among family members of mentally Ill persons: a narrative inquiry

ABSTRACT Active involvement of families in mental health care in India is well documented. This study aimed to understand the explanatory models of the family members of persons suffering from common as well as severe mental illness. Narratives were collected through interviews from family members accompanying the patients at a psychiatric clinic. Data were also obtained from professionals at the clinic as well as folk healers. The Constant Comparative Method was used for analysis. The notable findings were: healthcare pluralism at institutional, cognitive and structural levels; conflicting explanatory models about mental illness; and stigma regarding mental illness. The findings suggest that in addition to explanatory models, the accessibility and availability of healers also plays a major role in treatment choices by the families.
Rethinking Deviations From Uncovered Interest Parity: the Role of Covariance Risk and Noise

The authors examine the ability of the standard intertemporal asset pricing model and a model of noise trading to explain why the forward foreign exchange premium predicts the future currency depreciation with the 'wrong' sign. They find that the intertemporal asset pricing model is unable to predict risk premia with the correct sign to be consistent with the data. The noise-trader model, while highly stylized, receives fragmentary support from empirical research on survey expectations.
Affine invariant non-rigid shape analysis

Shape recognition deals with the study geometric structures. Modern surface processing methods can cope with non-rigidity - by measuring the lack of isometry, deal with similarity - by multiplying the Euclidean arc-length by the Gaussian curvature, and manage equi-affine transformations - by resorting to the special affine arc-length definition in classical affine geometry. Here, we propose a computational framework that is invariant to the affine group of transformations (similarity and equi-affine) and thus, by construction, can handle non-rigid shapes. Technically, we add the similarity invariant property to an equi-affine invariant one. Diffusion geometry encapsulates the resulting measure to robustly provide signatures and computational tools for affine invariant surface matching and comparison.
Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD: the clinical evidence

In this article, we focus on the scientific evidence from randomised trials supporting treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including treatment with combinations of long-acting β-agonist (LABA) bronchodilators and ICS. Our emphasis is on the methodological strengths and limitations that guide the conclusions that may be drawn. The evidence of benefit of ICS and, therefore, of the LABA/ICS combinations in COPD is limited by major methodological problems. From the data reviewed herein, we conclude that there is no survival benefit independent of the effect of long-acting bronchodilation and no effect on FEV1 decline, and that the possible benefit on reducing severe exacerbations is unclear. Our interpretation of the data is that there are substantial adverse effects from the use of ICS in patients with COPD, most notably severe pneumonia resulting in excess deaths. Currently, the most reliable predictor of response to ICS in COPD is the presence of eosinophilic inflammation in the sputum. There is an urgent need for better markers of benefit and risk that can be tested in randomised trials for use in routine specialist practice. Given the overall safety and effectiveness of long-acting bronchodilators in subjects without an asthma component to their COPD, we believe use of such agents without an associated ICS should be favoured. The benefits of ICS in COPD are limited. Better tools are needed to identify which patients might benefit. http://ow.ly/EwuhS
APM‐1, a novel human gene, identified by aberrant co‐transcription with papillomavirus oncogenes in a cervical carcinoma cell line, encodes a BTB/POZ‐zinc finger protein with growth inhibitory activity

Integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA into the host cell genome is an important step in cervical carcinogenesis. In tumour cells with integrated HPV DNA, transcription of viral oncogenes E6 and E7 continues into the flanking cellular sequences thereby producing viral–cellular fusion transcripts. Analysis of cellular sequences flanking the integrated HPV68 DNA in the cervical carcinoma cell line ME180 revealed homozygosity of the mutant allele in ME180 cells. We speculated that this could indicate the existence of a cellular tumour suppressor gene in the integration region. We report here the identification of a novel human gene, named APM‐1, which is co‐transcribed with the HPV68 E6 and E7 genes and is present in the 3′‐cellular part of the ME180 viral–cellular fusion transcripts. The APM‐1 gene encodes a protein with a BTB/POZ domain and four zinc fingers, and is located at chromosome 18q21. APM‐1 transcripts are detected in normal cervical keratinocytes, but not in the majority of cervical carcinoma cell lines analysed. The APM‐1 gene caused a reduction of clonal cell growth in vitro of HeLa and CaSki tumour cells. These characteristics make APM‐1, the first novel human gene identified in a HPV integration region, a likely candidate for the postulated tumour suppressor gene.
A co‐infection with two gastrointestinal nematodes alters host immune responses and only partially parasite dynamics

Given their global distribution and abilities to persist in the host, helminths can play a crucial role in affecting risk of infections by increasing individual variation in infection. Helminth co‐infections are of particular interest because by altering host immune responses, they can modify host susceptibility and thus intensity and transmission of other parasites/pathogens. The dynamics of co‐infection were examined using two helminths of the European rabbit. Individuals were simultaneously challenged with a primary dose of both parasites, and changes in intensity were examined in relation to local and systemic immune responses. Both helminths persisted in co‐infected rabbits; however, contrasting dynamics and immune responses were observed. Graphidium strigosum intensity was high throughout the co‐infection, while Trichostrongylus retortaeformis intensity decreased but was not completely cleared. A Th2 response was observed against G. strigosum, while a mixed Th1/Th2 profile was found to T. retortaeformis. A comparison with our previous work on single infections showed that G. strigosum intensity was higher in co‐infected than single infected hosts, while T. retortaeformis showed no significant changes. Differences were also observed in the cytokine profiles, blood cell concentrations and antibody trends. Overall, host variability during helminth co‐infections can be generated by significant differences in immune responses and/or parasite dynamics.