Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health care providers' attitudes and beliefs about functional impairments and chronic back pain.

OBJECTIVE This study validated a measure entitled the Health Care Providers' Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS) for assessing the attitudes and beliefs of health care providers about functional expectation for chronic low back pain patients. HC-PAIRS was developed by modifying the Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (PAIRS) used to assess the attitudes and beliefs of chronic pain patients. DESIGN This study surveyed 150 community health care providers and 66 functional restoration providers using HC-PAIRS. HC-PAIRS consists of 15 items attributing back pain patients' impairment and disability to pain, followed by a seven-point Likert scale anchored with degrees of agreement and disagreement. Reliability of HC-PAIRS was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Factor analysis was performed to explore the dimensions of attitudes and beliefs. Validity was determined by HC-PAIRS accurately measuring the pain attitudes and beliefs of functional restoration providers, who have a stated philosophy concerning this notion. RESULTS For the 150 community health care providers, HC-PAIRS revealed a Cronbach's alpha of 0.78. Factor analysis showed four dimensions of attitudes and beliefs measures by HC-PAIRS, which were entitled "functional expectations," "social expectations," "need for cure," and "projected cognition. " Community providers showed a mean score of 52 (S.D. = 10). Most respondents were neutral or disagreed somewhat with the notion that chronic back pain should limit functional performance, but a wide range of responses were noted (range 33-80), indicating that diverse pain attitudes and beliefs are held. The 66 functional restoration providers had a mean HC-PAIRS score of 38 (S.D. = 7), and a range of scores from 26 to 52 was found. As expected, these scores corresponded to disagreement with the notion that chronic low back pain justifies impairments and disability. This was accurately measured by HC-PAIRS and is evidence of HC-PAIRS validity. Comparison of HC-PAIRS between community and functional restoration providers revealed a significantly lower score for function restoration providers (t = 12.14, p < 0.000). CONCLUSION These results suggested that HC-PAIRS can be used to measure health care providers' attitudes and beliefs about the degree to which chronic low back pain justifies impairments and disability. HC-PAIRS may be useful to health care providers interested in examining this notion.
Effects of propolis on blood biochemical and hematological parameters in nitric oxide synthase inhibited rats by Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester.

This study showed the effects of propolis on biochemical and hematological parameters in chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibited rats by Nω-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Rats are given L-NAME for 15 days and the propolis for the last 5 days with L-NAME together. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltransferase in the L-NAME group compared to control group have increased (P<0.05). The levels of these parameters in L-NAME+propolis group compared to the L-NAME group have decreased (P<0.05). L-NAME caused increase (P<0.05) in levels of glucose, albumin, globulin, creatinine, urea, triglyceride and cholesterol. Erythrocyte number, total leukocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit, neutrophil and monocyte decreased (P<0.05), platelets and lymphocyte increased (P<0.05) in L-NAME+propolis group compared to the L-NAME group. The study concluded that homeostasis is modulated in L-NAME administrated rats by adding propolis which causes increasing generation of vascular nitric oxide.
Interest Rate Sensitivity of Non-banking Financial Sector in India

Executive Summary Before financial liberalization, interest rates were administered and exhibited near-zero volatility. The easing of financial repression in the 1990s generated experiences with interest rate volatility in India. Administrative restrictions on interest rates in India have been steadily eased since 1993. This has led to increased interest rate risk for financial firms. Most research studies have almost exclusively focused on the developed countries especially the banking sector of the United States. The present study attempts to examine the interest rate risk of non-banking financial institutions in India by using the methodology of panel regression and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) (1, 1) model for the period from 1 April 1996 to 30 August 2014. The sample used in the study consists of all non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) listed in the S&P CNX 500 index which has continuous availability of share prices over the study period. The study also examines the impact of unanticipated changes in interest rate on stock returns of NBFCs. The Box–Jenkins methodology is applied to calculate unanticipated changes in interest rate variable, autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) (24, 1, 0) model. The time series used in the present study is found to be stationary at the first logarithmic difference. Stock returns exhibit significant exposure with both market returns and interest rate changes. The interest rate sensitivity of large, medium, and small financial institutions is also found to be different. Estimation results for the variance equation in GARCH (1, 1) model suggest that the volatility for individual firm stock returns is time-variant. The ARCH and GARCH coefficients are found to be significant, providing evidence against using traditional model (ordinary least square (OLS)) that assumes time-invariant volatility. This implies that the market has a memory longer than one period and volatility is more sensitive to its own lagged values than it is to new surprises in the market. This study also investigates the possible determinants that account for cross-sectional variation in the interest rate sensitivity of NBFCs. It is found that the size of the firm is the preferred determinant that accounts for cross-sectional variation in the interest rate sensitivity of finance companies. When unanticipated changes in interest rate are used in lieu of actual interest rate changes, not much difference is observed in the significance coefficients. The only significant difference observed is in the magnitude. The impact of actual interest rate changes is more than the impact of unanticipated interest rate changes in absolute terms. This difference in the magnitude of impact arises because actual data incorporate movement in both anticipated and unanticipated components of interest rate. Hence, NBFCs managers and regulators should adopt policies and strategies to avoid the transmission of interest rate risk in their stock returns.
In vivo assessment of macromolecular content in articular cartilage of the goat knee

Loss of proteoglycans (PGs) from the extracellular matrix of cartilage is an early event of osteoarthritis. The capability of Gd(DTPA)2–‐enhanced MRI to quantitatively assess PG content was explored in a goat model of cartilage degeneration. Partial to total PG depletion was induced by an intraarticular injection of papain 1 day prior to the MRI session. A close correlation was found between the extent of the PG loss and the Gd(DTPA)2–‐induced T1 decrease. Papain‐induced PG depletion was confirmed by post‐mortem histological and biochemical assessments. A 2‐hr delay after Gd(DTPA)2– injection was found to be optimal for an accurate quantitation of the cartilage defect. A series of knee flexions were performed post‐Gd(DTPA)2– injection to facilitate penetration of the contrast agent into cartilage. However, ΔT1's observed in cartilage of exercised goat knees were not affected by papain or IL1β pretreatment. Therefore, as long as a preinjection T1 map was obtained, the Gd(DTPA)2–‐enhanced MRI technique provided good sensitivity in detecting partial loss of PG in articular cartilage. This was true only when the animal was maintained in a resting state during diffusion of the Gd(DTPA)2–. This approach is of particular interest for long‐term evaluations of cartilage degeneration and regeneration. Magn Reson Med 49:1037–1046, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gender Streaming in Vietnam

We examine the gender wage gap in Vietnam and show that a non-trivial part of the gap is associated with occupational sorting. We consider three explanations for why occupational sorting emerges. First, we explore whether occupational sorting is driven by gender differences in preferences for non-monetary characteristics of the jobs. First, we explore whether occupational sorting is driven by gender differences in preferences for non-monetary characteristics of jobs and find that there are indeed differences between the genders in preferences for having a formal contract, insurance, paid leave and shorter hours, which may induce women to forego monetary compensation for these characteristics. Second, we check if occupational sorting among the adult labor force is driven by social norms about gender roles learned and internalized at an early age. To do so we check for evidence of sorting in the aspirations of 12-year-old children by simulating what the gender wage gap would be if boys and girls pursued the occupations they aspire to at 12. And third, for women with higher education, we check if occupational sorting occurs during the school to work transition - if women are less likely to find jobs within their field of study upon graduation. We do not find support for either the second or third hypotheses. Overall, our findings suggest that in Vietnam gender specific preferences for non-monetary job characteristics play a key role in emergence of occupational sorting.
Insights Into Normal and Disordered Bowel Habits From Bowel Diaries

BACKGROUND:While symptom questionnaires provide a snapshot of bowel habits, they may not reflect day-to-day variations or the relationship between bowel symptoms and stool form.AIM:To assess bowel habits by daily diaries in women with and without functional bowel disorders.METHOD:From a community-based survey among Olmsted County, MN, women, 278 randomly selected subjects were interviewed by a gastroenterologist, who completed a bowel symptom questionnaire. Subjects also maintained bowel diaries for 2 wk.RESULTS:Among 278 subjects, questionnaires revealed diarrhea (26%), constipation (21%), or neither (53%). Asymptomatic subjects reported bowel symptoms (e.g., urgency) infrequently (i.e., <25% of the time) and generally for hard or loose stools. Urgency for soft, formed stools (i.e., Bristol form = 4) was more prevalent in subjects with diarrhea (31%) and constipation (27%) than in normals (16%). Stool form, straining to begin (odds ratio [OR] 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–10.2) and end (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.6–15.2) defecation increased the odds for constipation. Straining to end defecation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–12.0), increased stool frequency (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.02–3.7), incomplete evacuation (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.04–4.6), and rectal urgency (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4–6.6) increased the odds for diarrhea. In contrast, variations in stool frequency and form were not useful for discriminating between health and disease.CONCLUSIONS:Bowel symptoms occur in association with, but are only partly explained by, stool form disturbances. These observations support a role for other pathophysiological mechanisms in functional bowel disorders.
Born Poor? Racial Diversity, Inequality, and the American Pipeline

The authors examine racial disparities in infants’ exposure to economic disadvantage at the family and local area levels. Using data from the 2008–2014 files of the American Community Survey, the authors provide an up-to-date empirical benchmark of newborns’ exposure to poverty. Large shares of Hispanic (36.5 percent) and black (43.2 percent) infants are born poor, though white infants are also overrepresented among the poor (17.7 percent). The authors then estimate regression models to identify risk factors and perform decompositions to identify compositional factors underlying between-race differences. Although more than half of the black-white poverty gap is explained by differences in family structure and employment, these factors account for less than one quarter of white-Hispanic differences. The results also highlight the unmet need for social protection among babies born to poor families lacking access to assistance programs and the safety net. Hispanic infants are particularly likely to be doubly disadvantaged in this manner. Moreover, large and disproportionate shares of today’s black (48.3 percent) and Hispanic (40.5 percent) babies are born into poor families and places with poverty rates above 20 percent. These results raise important questions about persistent and possibly growing racial inequality as America makes its way to a majority-minority society as early as 2043.
Occurrence of Serious Infection in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biologics and Denosumab Observed in a Clinical Setting

Objective. Previous studies combining biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have shown an increased risk of infection. However, the risk of infection with concurrent use of denosumab, a biologic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis, and a bDMARD remains unclear. Here, we evaluated the incidence of serious and opportunistic infections in patients treated concurrently with denosumab and a bDMARD and patients treated with a bDMARD alone. Methods. A chart review of patients with RA from 2 Canadian rheumatology practices between July 1, 2010, and July 31, 2014, identified 2 groups of patients: those taking denosumab and a bDMARD concurrently (concurrent group) and those taking only a bDMARD (biologic-alone group). Patients were followed from the time of initiation of denosumab, or a matched index date for the biologic-alone group, to the end of the study or loss to followup. Instances of serious or opportunistic infections were recorded. Results. A total of 308 patients (n = 102 for the concurrent group and n = 206 for the biologic-alone group) were evaluated. Within the concurrent group, 3 serious infection events occurred. Within the biologic-alone group, 4 serious infection events and 1 opportunistic infection event occurred. In both groups, all patients with serious or opportunistic infection recovered, and there were no instances of death during the study period. Conclusion. This study demonstrated a low occurrence of serious and opportunistic infections in patients with RA taking bDMARD, including patients with concurrent denosumab use.
SUMOylation Promotes PML Degradation during Encephalomyocarditis Virus Infection

ABSTRACT The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is expressed in the diffuse nuclear fraction of the nucleoplasm and in matrix-associated structures, known as nuclear bodies (NBs). PML NB formation requires the covalent modification of PML to SUMO. The noncovalent interactions of SUMO with PML based on the identification of a SUMO-interacting motif within PML seem to be required for further recruitment within PML NBs of SUMOylated proteins. RNA viruses whose replication takes place in the cytoplasm and is inhibited by PML have developed various strategies to counteract the antiviral defense mediated by PML NBs. We show here that primary fibroblasts derived from PML knockout mice are more sensitive to infection with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), suggesting that the absence of PML results in an increase in EMCV replication. Also, we found that EMCV induces a decrease in PML protein levels both in interferon-treated cells and in PMLIII-expressing cells. Reduction of PML was carried out by the EMCV 3C protease. Indeed, at early times postinfection, EMCV induced PML transfer from the nucleoplasm to the nuclear matrix and PML conjugation to SUMO-1, SUMO-2, and SUMO-3, leading to an increase in PML body size where the viral protease 3C and the proteasome component were found colocalizing with PML within the NBs. This process was followed by PML degradation occurring in a proteasome- and SUMO-dependent manner and did not involve the SUMO-interacting motif of PML. Together, these findings reveal a new mechanism evolved by EMCV to antagonize the PML pathway in the interferon-induced antiviral defense.
Oxide-trap-induced instability of GIDL of thermally nitrided-oxide N-MOSFET's under stress

Some holes created from band-to-band (B-B) tunneling in the deep-depletion region of the drain can be injected into the gate oxide and reduce the vertical field there. As a result, gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL) current decreases. This kind of hot-hole injection depends on the voltage difference between the drain and gate, due to nitridation-induced lowering of the barrier height for hole injection at the SiO/sub 2/-Si interface. The subsequent hot-electron injection can neutralize these trapped holes, and make the GIDL current recover, and even increase beyond its original value. Since the trapped charges also affect the lateral field, the observed change in the ratio of substrate to source currents further confirms the proposed mechanism for the GIDL degradation and recovery behavior. <<ETX>>
Teaching on the web: automated online instruction and assessment of residents in an acute care clinic

Time pressures negatively impact teaching and learning in ambulatory settings. Web-based (online) learning may help in meeting this challenge. Although online teaching is increasingly used in medical education, few reports have evaluated online learning in postgraduate training. A pre-test/post-test cohort study was undertaken in an academic medical center acute care clinic to determine whether internal medicine residents accept, learn with and continue to use a ‘stand-alone’ online curriculum. The participants were 56 first-year internal medicine residents. Eight evidence-based, symptom-oriented online modules in acute ambulatory medicine were completed by residents during a one-month rotation. Fifty residents completed all modules. Pre- and post-tests were administered and scored automatically by computer. Average test score improved from 70% to 95% (p < 0.001). Feedback was very positive, with 96% of residents recommending the curriculum continue and 88% listing the modules as one of the most helpful learning resources for the rotation. Some 74% of residents referred back to the curriculum while caring for patients. This ‘stand-alone’ online curriculum, with automated instruction and assessment, facilitated effective and satisfying learning without requiring faculty involvement. This method could easily be reproduced in other settings.
Understanding policy problems: a refinement of past work

Abstract To better connect the concept of policy problems to policy solutions, this article builds on Guy Peters’ framework for identifying and applying ‘attributes’ of policy problems. It does so by applying the seven attributes of policy problems identified in Peters’ past work to a range of policy problems in the United States. The problems investigated include access to healthcare, the organization of public health services, and water pollution. By applying Peters’ attributes to these policy problems, we assess the range of the framework’s application to different types of policy problems. We also identify insights that can be used to enable improvements to the framework over time, which may enhance our ability to characterize policy problems in ways that guide policy design.
Encouraging Perspective-Taking among College Students

One need only watch the nightly news to understand why greater attention to taking others' perspectives seriously might be needed in the United States. Signs of disrespect and intolerance abound across the ideological spectrum: in Representative Joe Wilson yelling "You lie! " at President Obama last year, in Harry Reid comparing opponents of health care reform to supporters of slavery, in Tea Partiers likening President Obama to Hitler. In modern political discourse, open-minded discussions are few and far between, and leaders who carefully weigh the evidence and change their minds in response are even rarer. Disciplines Curriculum and Social Inquiry | Higher Education | Liberal Studies | Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | Teacher Education and Professional Development Comments This article is published as Reason, R. D. (2011). Encouraging perspective taking in college students. Diversity & Democracy: Civic Learning for Shared Futures, 14(1). Posted with permission. This article is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/edu_pubs/76 1/9/2018 Encouraging Perspective-Taking among College Students | Association of American Colleges & Universities https://www.aacu. org/publications-research/periodicals/encouraging-perspective-taking-among-college-students 1/6 Association of American Colleges & Universities A VOICE AND A FORCE FOR LIBERAL EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY Give to AAC&U
Mood and substance use disorders among adults seeking speech treatment for stuttering.

OBJECTIVES Stuttering has been associated with a range of anxiety disorders, including social phobia. In the general community, anxiety disorders are frequently associated with increased rates of mood and substance use disorders. Therefore, in the present study, the authors sought to determine the rate of mood and substance use disorders among adults who stutter. METHOD The study employed a matched case-control design. Participants included 92 adults seeking treatment for stuttering and 920 age- and gender-matched controls. Mental health assessments were conducted via a computerized psychiatric diagnostic interview. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios for the prevalence of mood and substance use disorders in both groups. RESULTS When compared with matched controls, adults seeking treatment for stuttering had twofold increased odds of meeting criteria for a 12-month diagnosis of any mood disorder but were not found to report significantly higher lifetime prevalence rates for any substance use disorder. CONCLUSIONS Although adults who stutter in the present study were characterized by significantly higher rates of mood disorders than matched controls, they do not appear to self-medicate with substances such as alcohol. Results are discussed in terms of treatment implications and possible reasons why adults who stutter may avoid alcohol.