Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors affecting self-efficacy and pain intensity in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain seen in a specialist rheumatology pain clinic.

OBJECTIVE Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a very common and costly health problem. Patients presenting to rheumatology clinics with chronic pain can be difficult to manage. We studied 354 patients referred to a rheumatology chronic pain clinic over 5 yrs to identify factors affecting their self-efficacy and intensity of pain. METHODS We collected data for each patient, covering demographic and psychosocial factors, characteristics of their pain and previous treatment. We measured self-efficacy using a validated questionnaire, and pain intensity (PI) on an NRS. We performed multiple regression analysis to determine as to which factors were independently associated with these outcomes. RESULTS Despite extensive previous investigations and treatment, these patients had low self-efficacy [median = 26.5, interquartile range (IQR) 15-38, best possible = 60] and high PI scores (median = 7, worst possible = 10, IQR 5-9). Low self-efficacy was most clearly associated with depressive symptoms and not being employed. PI was most clearly associated with depressive symptoms, extensive pain and lower level of education. CONCLUSION Community-based studies suggest psychosocial factors are very important in determining outcomes in patients with chronic pain. This study suggests that the same is true in patients referred to rheumatologists due to chronic musculoskeletal pain and that these factors-particularly depressive symptoms and not being employed-are more important than site or duration of pain in those patients.
Transmission Efficacy and Plasticity in Glutamatergic Synapses Formed by Excitatory Interneurons of the Substantia Gelatinosa in the Rat Spinal Cord

Background Substantia gelatinosa (SG, lamina II) is a spinal cord region where most unmyelinated primary afferents terminate and the central nociceptive processing begins. The glutamatergic excitatory interneurons (EINs) form the majority of the SG neuron population, but little is known about the mechanisms of signal processing in their synapses. Methodology To describe the functional organization and properties of excitatory synapses formed by SG EINs, we did non-invasive recordings from 183 pairs of monosynaptically connected neurons. An intact presynaptic SG EIN was specifically stimulated through the cell-attached pipette while the evoked EPSCs/EPSPs were recorded through perforated-patch from a postsynaptic neuron (laminae I-III). Principal Findings We found that the axon of an SG EIN forms multiple functional synapses on the dendrites of a postsynaptic neuron. In many cases, EPSPs evoked by stimulating an SG EIN were sufficient to elicit spikes in a postsynaptic neuron. EPSCs were carried through both Ca2+-permeable (CP) and Ca2+-impermeable (CI) AMPA receptors (AMPARs) and showed diverse forms of functional plasticity. The synaptic efficacy could be enhanced through both activation of silent synapses and strengthening of already active synapses. We have also found that a high input resistance (RIN, >0.5 GΩ) of the postsynaptic neuron is necessary for resolving distal dendritic EPSCs/EPSPs and correct estimation of their efficacy. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that the multiple synapses formed by an SG EIN on a postsynaptic neuron increase synaptic excitation and provide basis for diverse forms of plasticity. This functional organization can be important for sensory, i.e. nociceptive, processing in the spinal cord.
Exploring the Impact of Connectivity on Dissemination of Post Disaster Situational Data over DTN

Opportunistic or Delay-tolerant networks (DTNs) may be used as a viable option for exchanging situational information during post-disaster communication in the absence of existing communication infrastructure. As opposed to traditional communication networks, situational information dissemination in DTNs depends on the degree of intermittent connectivity among the mobile nodes. Higher degree of connectivity implies smaller delay to disseminate situational information which results in better knowledge sharing. The degree of intermittent connectivity is influenced by mobility pattern of the nodes which is heterogeneous in nature. In this work, we attempt to formulate an empirical relationship between the degree of intermittent connectivity and extent of situational knowledge dissemination over DTNs in order to quantify the impact of the node mobility on the inter-shelter knowledge transfer In the absence of prior knowledge about the mobility patterns, we consider only the broad features of the impact. We introduce two metrics, Total Encounters and Knowledge Sharing Ratio. Total Encounters depends on node density, average movement speed of the nodes and elapsed time after initial node deployment. It serves as an indicator for estimating the degree of intermittent connectivity. The extent of situational information dissemination over an entire network is measured in terms of Knowledge Sharing Ratio. The relationship between Total Encounters and Knowledge Sharing Ratio is validated using the real mobility traces of volunteers captured from a field trial carried out in a disaster affected area. This analysis also helps us to formulate a suitable strategy for deployment of volunteer nodes in a post-disaster scenario.
Bacteriophage Receptor Binding Protein Based Assays for the Simultaneous Detection of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the most common bacterial causes of foodborne gastroenteritis which is occasionally followed by a debilitating neuropathy known as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Rapid and specific detection of these pathogens is very important for effective control and quick treatment of infection. Most of the diagnostics available for these organisms are time consuming and require technical expertise with expensive instruments and reagents to perform. Bacteriophages bind to their host specifically through their receptor binding proteins (RBPs), which can be exploited for pathogen detection. We recently sequenced the genome of C. jejuni phage NCTC12673 and identified its putative host receptor binding protein, Gp047. In the current study, we localized the receptor binding domain to the C-terminal quarter of Gp047. CC-Gp047 could be produced recombinantly and was capable of agglutinating both C. jejuni and C. coli cells unlike the host range of the parent phage which is limited to a subset of C. jejuni isolates. The agglutination procedure could be performed within minutes on a glass slide at room temperature and was not hindered by the presence of buffers or nutrient media. This agglutination assay showed 100% specificity and the sensitivity was 95% for C. jejuni (n = 40) and 90% for C. coli (n = 19). CC-Gp047 was also expressed as a fusion with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Chimeric EGFP_CC-Gp047 was able to specifically label C. jejuni and C. coli cells in mixed cultures allowing for the detection of these pathogens by fluorescent microscopy. This study describes a simple and rapid method for the detection of C. jejuni and C. coli using engineered phage RBPs and offers a promising new diagnostics platform for healthcare and surveillance laboratories.
The "Real World" Aspirations of Work-Bound Rural Students

The invention relates to an on-line tension meter for an optic fiber. The tensile stress of a bare optic fiber is measured without contacting the optic fiber as the optic fiber is drawn in a draw machine. A loudspeaker causes a wire wave to be formed in the fiber. The fiber tension is then measured by the advancing speed of the wire wave. The speed is measured by means of two location-sensitive electro-optic indicators or cameras, the distance therebetween being known.
Essays in contemporary tax law changes

In the first essay, I provide estimates of price and income elasticities of charitable contributions which reveal substantial differences in giving patterns across different income groups. The paper develops an intertemporal model of giving which predicts that lowering current income taxes induces substitution away from current giving towards giving in future periods. Cragg’s Generalized Tobit model applied to Consumer Expenditure data from 1997–2006 provides estimates of income and price elasticities conditioned upon contribution, which range between 0.17 to 0.81 and −0.50 to −1.16 respectively. Empirical analysis shows substantial evidence of intertemporal substitution, implying that if the difference between future and current prices increase by 1 percent, current period giving increases by 0.8 percent. The second essay is an extension of the first, wherein I provide estimates of how reduction in income tax rates brought about by EGTRRA, 2001 and alternative tax rate regimes affect charitable contributions. Results from difference-in-difference analysis suggests that after Economic Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA), itemizers reduced their contributions by 24% and the likelihood of contributions fell by 10%. While limiting the tax deductibility to 28% reduces price elasticity by 0.02 percentage points, a flat tax rate regime makes contributions 11 percentage points more price elastic compared to the progressive tax rate system. The third essay focuses on another contemporary tax law change, reduction in capital gains and dividend tax rates brought about by Jobs and Growth Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act, 2003. I study two main impacts of the law change, the effect on portfolio allocation between retirement and non-retirement accounts and the effect on labor supply decisions. Difference-in-difference analysis using Health and Retirement Study finds that for the age group above 55, annual investments in IRA fall by $175 and the likelihood of holding IRAs fall by 11%. With respect to labor market behavior, annual labor supply for individuals who diversify their assets fall by
Anesthesia-Related and Perioperative Cardiac Arrest in Low- and High-Income Countries

AbstractThe anesthesia-related cardiac arrest (CA) rate is a quality indicator to improve patient safety in the perioperative period. A systematic review with meta-analysis of the worldwide literature related to anesthesia-related CA rate has not yet been performed.This study aimed to analyze global data on anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates according to country's Human Development Index (HDI) and by time. In addition, we compared the anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates in low- and high-income countries in 2 time periods.A systematic review was performed using electronic databases to identify studies in which patients underwent anesthesia with anesthesia-related and/or perioperative CA rates. Meta-regression and proportional meta-analysis were performed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate global data on anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates according to country's HDI and by time, and to compare the anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates by country's HDI status (low HDI vs high HDI) and by time period (pre-1990s vs 1990s–2010s), respectively.Fifty-three studies from 21 countries assessing 11.9 million anesthetic administrations were included. Meta-regression showed that anesthesia-related (slope: −3.5729; 95% CI: −6.6306 to −0.5152; P = 0.024) and perioperative (slope: −2.4071; 95% CI: −4.0482 to −0.7659; P = 0.005) CA rates decreased with increasing HDI, but not with time. Meta-analysis showed per 10,000 anesthetics that anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates declined in high HDI (2.3 [95% CI: 1.2–3.7] before the 1990s to 0.7 [95% CI: 0.5–1.0] in the 1990s–2010s, P < 0.001; and 8.1 [95% CI: 5.1–11.9] before the 1990s to 6.2 [95% CI: 5.1–7.4] in the 1990s–2010s, P < 0.001, respectively). In low-HDI countries, anesthesia-related CA rates did not alter significantly (9.2 [95% CI: 2.0–21.7] before the 1990s to 4.5 [95% CI: 2.4–7.2] in the 1990s–2010s, P = 0.14), whereas perioperative CA rates increased significantly (16.4 [95% CI: 1.5–47.1] before the 1990s to 19.9 [95% CI: 10.9–31.7] in the 1990s–2010s, P = 0.03). Both anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates decrease with increasing HDI but not with time. There is a clear and consistent reduction in anesthesia-related and perioperative CA rates in high-HDI countries, but an increase in perioperative CA rates without significant alteration in the anesthesia-related CA rates in low-HDI countries comparing the 2 time periods.
Simple Rules in the M 1-VECM *

This paper analyses various simple interest rate rules using a vector error correction foreca model of the Canadian economy that is anchored by long-run equilibrium relationships sugg by economic theory. Dynamic and stochastic simulations are performed using several intere rules, including money based rules and their properties are analysed. Among the class of ru consider in this model, we find that a simple rule with interest rate smoothing minimizes the tility of output, inflation and interest rate. This rule dominates Taylor-type, Ball and other sim rules. *FR-01-002.We would like to thank Scott Hendry, Dinah Maclean, Pierre St-Amant for helpful suggestion and discussions. Thank you also to Sharon Kozicki our discussant at the CEA 2001 meetings in Montrea Chris Graham for providing technical help, Jim Day for providing help with the graphs and participants at the brown bag meeting. The views in this paper are those of the authors and should not be attributed to t Bank of Canada. All errors and omissions are of our own.
A Time-Domain PTS without Side Information in SC-FDMA Systems

Partial transmit sequence (PTS) scheme is one of the distortionless PAPR reduction scheme in multicarrier systems. The conventional PTS scheme exploits the frequency-domain phase rotation to generate low PAPR candidate signal, however it suffers from both high complexity and side information (SI). This paper proposes a time-domain PTS scheme without SI for single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system, where the phase rotation is recovered during channel estimation aided by pilots. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides similar PAPR and channel estimation performance compared with the conventional scheme, but without SI.
Enterocyte-Specific Inactivation of SIRT1 Reduces Tumor Load in the APC+/min Mouse Model

SIRT1 is a mammalian NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase implicated in metabolism, development, aging and tumorigenesis. Prior studies that examined the effect of enterocyte-specific overexpression and global deletion of SIRT1 on polyp formation in the intestines of APC+/min mice, a commonly used model for intestinal tumorigenesis, yielded conflicting results, supporting either tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting roles for SIRT1, respectively. In order to resolve the controversy emerging from these prior in vivo studies, in the present report we examined the effect of SIRT1 deficiency confined to the intestines, avoiding the systemic perturbations such as growth retardation seen with global SIRT1 deletion. We crossed APC+/min mice with mice bearing enterocyte-specific inactivation of SIRT1 and examined polyp development in the progeny. We found that SIRT1-inactivation reduced total polyp surface (9.3 mm2 vs. 23.3 mm2, p = 0.01), average polyp size (0.24 mm2 vs. 0.51 mm2, p = 0.005) and the number of polyps >0.5 mm in diameter (14 vs. 23, p = 0.04), indicating that SIRT1 affects both the number and size of tumors. Additionally, tumors in SIRT1-deficient mice exhibited markedly increased numbers of cells undergoing apoptosis, suggesting that SIRT1 contributes to tumor growth by enabling survival of tumor cells. Our results indicate that SIRT1 acts as a tumor promoter in the APC+/min mouse model of intestinal tumorigenesis.
Low-Loss Integrated Passive CMOS Electrical Balance Duplexers With Single-Ended LNA

A tunable integrated electrical balanced duplexer (EBD) is presented as a compact alternative to multiple bulky surface acoustic wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic wave (BAW) duplexers in third-generation (3G)/fourth-generation (4G) cellular transceivers. A balancing network creates a replica of the transmitter (TX) signal for cancellation at the input of a single-ended low-noise amplifier (LNA) to isolate the receive path from the TX. The proposed passive EBD is based on a cross-connected transformer topology without the need of any extra baluns at the antenna side. The balancing network enables a single-ended LNA with reliable high TX power operation up to 22 dBm by alleviating the common-mode coupling. The duplexer achieves around 50-dB transmitter-receiver (TX-RX) isolation within a 1.6-2.2-GHz range. The cascaded noise figure (NF) of the duplexer and LNA is 6.5 dB, and TX insertion loss (TXIL) of the duplexer is about 3.2 dB. The duplexer and LNA are implemented in a 0.18-μm CMOS process and occupy an active area of 0.35 mm2.
CONSUMER MIGRATION ACROSS GENERATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICE PLATFORMS : A STUDY OF 3 G INTRODUCTION IN HONG KONG Viswanath

This paper examines consumer migration intention across generations of information and communication technology (ICT) service platforms. Our work complements macro-level research on the diffusion of multiple technology generations and thus has implications for ICT service innovations targeted at consumers. Integrating research from multiple disciplines, we proposed four categories of determinants of consumer platform-migration intention: general perceptions of ICT services, perceptions of advancements in a new generation of ICT services, external influences, and individual differences. The direct effects model was supported in a study of over 4,000 consumers in Hong Kong who could migrate to 3G, a new generation of mobile data service platform. A model with interaction terms distinguished three types of migration situations—namely transformative, leapfrogging, and incremental—based on the current technology generation being used by a consumer. Specifically, the new category of constructs introduced in this work, perceptions of the new generation of ICT services, were the strongest drivers of migration intention in incremental migration, whereas external influences and general perceptions of ICT services had stronger effects in transformative and leapfrogging situations.
Does the Experience of Parasocial Interaction Enhance Persuasiveness of Video Public Service Messages?

Does the experience of parasocial interaction (EPSI) increase the persuasiveness of a video message? In a between-subjects experiment (N = 465) we used bodily addressing to successfully vary EPSI in viewers of three brief video-recorded health messages. This manipulation, however, yielded no significant effect on viewers’ perceived persuasiveness of the message and their attitude toward the recommended behavior, and the effect on viewers’ felt obligation to comply with the presenter of the message was only marginally significant. However, self-reported EPSI was significantly positively correlated with all persuasion measures, and exploratory analyses yielded significant indirect effects of the manipulation on persuasion via self-reported EPSI. Limitations and implications are discussed.
The Differential Impact of Environment and Resilience on Youth Outcomes

The potential positive or negative impact of the environment on young people’s wellbeing may vary by a young person’s level of vulnerability and the quality of the environment. To examine this relationship, analysis of a 4-wave (W1–W4) study of 11- to 19-year-old youth (MW1 = 14.0, SDW1 = 1.4) from communities facing heightened challenges in Atlantic Canada (nW1 = 449, nW2 = 256, nW3 = 249, nW4 = 234) used growth curve models to test whether, at different levels of individual vulnerability (depression and conduct problems), the effect of resilience on outcomes (school engagement and risk behaviours) varied by the quality of family, school and community contexts. Results indicate that only youth with lower levels of individual vulnerability benefit from higher resilience, exhibiting more prosocial behaviour. This pattern, however, appears only when these youth reside in communities that pose significant challenges to their psychosocial development. Contrary to expectations, there were no Vulnerability × Resilience × Family or School Environment interactions. This research is the first exploration of differential impact theory. As a complement to the theory of differential susceptibility, the study’s results show the positive and negative influence of young peoples’ diverse social ecologies on the relationship between resilience and behavioural outcomes. L’impact positif ou négatif potentiel d’un milieu donné sur le bien-être des jeunes peut varier en fonction du niveau de vulnérabilité du jeune et de la qualité de son milieu. Afin d’examiner cette relation, l’analyse d’une étude à quatre vagues (W1 - W4) portant sur des jeunes âgés de 11 à 19 ans (MW1 = 14,0, É.-T.W1 = 1,4) dans des communautés aux prises avec des défis de taille au Canada atlantique (nW1 = 449, nW2 = 256, nW3 = 249, nW4 = 234) a employé des modèles de courbe de croissance pour vérifier si, à différents niveaux de vulnérabilité individuelle (dépression et problèmes de comportement), l’effet de la résilience sur les résultats (engagement scolaire et comportements à risque) variait en fonction des contextes familial, scolaire et communautaire. Les résultats indiquent que seuls les jeunes ayant un faible degré de vulnérabilité individuelle bénéficient d’une plus grande résilience et présentent davantage un comportement prosocial. Cette tendance ne se manifeste toutefois que lorsque ces jeunes résident dans des communautés qui posent des défis importants à leur développement psychosocial. Contrairement aux attentes, il n’y a pas eu d’interactions entre la vulnérabilité, la résilience, la famille ou le milieu scolaire. Cette recherche constitue une première exploration de la théorie de l’impact différentiel. En complément de la théorie de la susceptibilité différentielle, les résultats de l’étude montrent l’influence positive et négative des diverses écologies sociales des jeunes sur la relation entre la résilience et les résultats comportementaux.
Valvuloarterial Impedance, But Not Aortic Stenosis Severity, Predicts Syncope in Patients With Aortic Stenosis

Background—The presence of syncope in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AS) predicts a grave prognosis. However, the evaluation of AS severity has been limited to valve-specific factors such as aortic valve area and mean transaortic pressure gradient. Recently, valvuloarterial impedance (Zva) was proposed for the estimation of global left ventricular afterload. Therefore, because predictors of syncope in patients with AS have not been investigated in recent years, we assessed the effect of clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters, including Zva, on syncope in patients with AS. Methods and Results—We retrospectively studied 451 patients with moderate and severe AS without low left ventricular ejection fraction (<40%). Patients with syncope (n=79; 18%) had higher Zva (5.1±0.9 versus 4.4±0.9 mm Hg/mL per m2; P<0.001) than those without (n=372; 82%). However, no significant differences existed in the mean transaortic pressure gradient (P=0.076) or the aortic valve area (P=0.160) between the 2 groups. In the multivariable analysis, only Zva was an independent predictor of syncope in patients with AS (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.54–2.64; P<0.001). However, systolic blood pressure, relative wall thickness, the early transmitral flow velocity to peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity ratio, and mean transaortic pressure gradient were not identified as independent predictors. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified Zva ≥4.7 mm Hg/mL per m2 as the cutoff value associated with syncope in patients with AS. Conclusions—Our study suggests that high Zva, but not conventional parameters of AS, identifies AS patients with an increased risk of syncope.