Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel telemedicine technologies in geriatric chronic non-cancer pain: primary care providers' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE We sought to identify primary care providers' interest in, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators to, using novel telemedicine technologies (e.g., smartphones) for managing chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in older adults. DESIGN Six focus groups were conducted with 25 primary care providers. SETTING Two academically affiliated primary care practices serving older adults with CNCP in New York City. METHODS The investigators used content analysis to analyze transcribed focus group data and identify specific themes. RESULTS While most providers reported limited use of telemedicine, they expressed substantial interest in trying devices such as smartphones in the management of older patients with CNCP. Perceived barriers to implementation of telemedicine tools included information overload, lack of mobile device usability among patients and clinicians, liability issues, and cost. To overcome these barriers, participants suggested implementing electronic or human-based pre-analysis of data (e.g., a computer or a person that triages patient data), creating a low-cost and user-friendly mobile device design, and targeting appropriate user populations. CONCLUSIONS Primary care providers are interested in applying telemedicine when caring for older adults with CNCP. Although they perceived multiple barriers to device implementation, they offered innovative solutions to address these barriers. Providers felt that novel telemedicine technologies may improve the management of CNCP but wanted evidence that the devices were both cost- and time-efficient, and led to improved patient outcomes before adopting their use in practice.
A 6.4 Gbit/s Embedded Compression Codec for Memory-Efficient Applications on Advanced-HD Specification

The embedded compression (EC) technique is applied to reduce the memory bandwidth and capacity in a display system. In this paper, the high-speed EC algorithm is proposed for advanced-HD specification. It mainly comprises three features: 1) the associated geometric-based probability model is developed to construct context-modeling mechanism without context-table; 2) develop content-adaptive Golomb-Rice code and geometric-based binary code as the entropy coding with minor order of context; and 3) provide the rate control mechanism to guarantee the saving ratio of memory bandwidth and capacity. With competitive coding efficiency, the computation-efficiency of the proposed EC algorithm is about 44% and 40% of FELICS and JPEG-LS. The proposed very-large-scale integration architecture of entire codec is implemented in TSMC 0.18- 1P6M CMOS technology. Based on pixel-based parallelism and segment-based parallelism techniques, the encoding/decoding capability reaches Quad Full-high definition (QFHD) (3840 × 2160) at 30 Hz. The maximum throughput is as high as 6.4 Gbit/s. Furthermore, with multi-level parallelism, the performance can be extended to QHD (2560 × 1440) at 120 Hz and QFHD at 120 Hz for the double frame rate technique.
The Role of Corporate Reputation in the Stakeholder Decision-Making Process

Although it is widely accepted that corporate reputation influences organization-stakeholder interactions, there is no theoretical framework that conceptualizes this aspect in stakeholders' decision-making processes for establishing various forms of relationships with a firm. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this article provides a theoretical model that explains the role corporate reputation has in the process through which stakeholders decide to establish relationships with a firm. It is argued that the stakeholder decision-making process for exchange with a company is based on several exchange rules: corporate reputation, social legitimacy, pragmatic legitimacy, and exchange benefits. The article concludes with a case study of James Hardie Industries in Australia, which illustrates the function of the proposed conceptual model.
In-vitro activity of the new triazole D0870 compared with amphotericin B and itraconazole against Aspergillus spp.

The in-vitro activity of D0870, a new triazole, was compared with amphotericin B (AMP B) and itraconazole (ITZ) against 40 Aspergillus isolates, which included 25 isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus, using a broth macro-dilution method at 37 degrees C. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) (killing of > or = 98%) were measured. For 40 isolates, geometric mean (GM) MIC values and ranges were D0870 10.55 and 2-32, ITZ 2.26 and 0.5-64, AMP B 2.42 and 1-64 mg/L. Differences in susceptibilities between species were apparent with Aspergillus flavus (n = 5) being the most susceptible to D0870 (GM 2.64, range 2-8 mg/L). MFC values were within one dilution of the MIC value for 90% of isolates (D0870 and ITZ) and 95% of isolates (AMP B). In reproducibility studies, seven, eight and four of eight isolates retested gave MIC results within one dilution for D0870, AMP B, and ITZ, respectively. Therefore, in-vitro mould testing with D0870 is feasible and reproducible with clear MIC and MFC end-points. D0870 is active against most Aspergillus spp. , but at higher concentrations than either ITZ or AMP B.
Impact of quality improvement tools on the performance of firms using different quality management systems

Este estudio compara el impacto de las herramientas para la gestion de la calidad en el desempeno de organizaciones que utilizan el estandar ISO 9001:2000 como referencia para implantar un sistema de gestion de la calidad, de los que utilizan el modelo EFQM para tal fin. Se llevo a cabo un estudio empirico en el que participaron 107 evaluadores de gestion de la calidad independientes y experimentados. El estudio concluye que las organizaciones con un sistema de gestion de la calidad basado en el estandar ISO 9001:2000 tienden a utilizar herramientas cualitativas de caracter generico y que dichas herramientas tienen un impacto relativo positivo en el desempeno. Por el contrario, las organizaciones que adoptan el modelo EFQM tienden a utilizar herramientas cuantitativas mas especializadas que producen una mejora significativa en el desempeno de dichas organizaciones. Los resultados del estudio posibilitaran a las organizaciones elegir las herramientas para la mejora de la calidad mas efectivas para su estrategia de calidad particular.
An Examination of the Determinants of Entertainment Vacationers’ Intentions to Revisit

This study investigated the relationship of entertainment travelers’ past vacation behavior, vacation satisfaction, perceived vacation value, and intentions to revisit and repurchase. Subjects were inquirers for the purchase of an entertainment package that visited the destination and were systematically selected over a 12-month period. Results suggest that past behavior, satisfaction, and perceived value are good predictors of entertainment vacationers’ intentions to revisit the destination. It was further found that the variables of past behavior, satisfaction, and perceived value are poor predictors of intentions to visit and attend live theater entertainment or book an entertainment package during a visit. Given the relationships between past behavior, satisfaction, perceived value, and intentions to revisit, results of the present study provide important theoretical implications and direction for entertainment destination management.
Restructuration of Partisan Politics and the Emergence of a New Cleavage Based on Values

The cleavage concept is a very demanding concept that limits the possibilities of finding any new examples of cleavages. And, indeed, many authors, some of whom contributing to the present volume, mainly perceive a decline of cleavages, or at best a stabilization of old cleavages, but hardly anything new. However, new cleavages may be hard to find, because we look in the wrong places for their structural basis: it might just be that their value/normative element is contributing crucially to the structural closure of the groups involved – as it did in the case of religion previously. If we take such a possibility into account, several of the contributions to the present volume provide evidence for the emergence of a new value-based cleavage, which has mainly, albeit not exclusively, been driven by the challengers of the New Left and the new populist right.
New Macroeconomic Evidence on Monetary Policy Transmission in the Euro Area

This paper presents some new macroeconomic evidence on the transmission mechanism of monetary policy in the euro area. The evidence is drawn from a number of collaborative research projects undertaken by the ECB and the National Central Banks (NCBs) of the euro area and utilises a variety of national and euro area aggregate VAR and structural macroeconomic models. A qualitatively similar pattern of results following a monetary policy shock is observed across models, with the maximum output effect typically occurring after 1-2 years. Price effects are somewhat slower to materialise and are more persistent. According to both sets of results, investment is the main (domestic) contributor to the drop in real GDP. This contrasts with findings for the US where consumption plays a dominant role in the transmission process. In addition, if it assumed that the exchange rate moves in line with an Uncovered Interest Parity (UIP) condition, the short run output and price effects are largely driven by this channel in the structural macroeconomic models. JEL classifications: C50, C52, E52, E17, E5
Nitric oxide synthase induction and cytoprotection of rat gastric mucosa from injury by ethanol.

The present study determined the effects of nitric oxide (NO) synthase induction on ethanol-mediated damage to rat gastric mucosa. NO synthase activity was determined by [14C]arginine conversion to radiolabeled citrulline. Ca(2+)-independent NO synthase activity was determined by citrulline formation in the presence of EGTA (1 mM) in the incubation mixture. Intraluminal ethanol administration (2 mL; 40% w/v) to control rats resulted in an increase in mucosal damage characterized as vasocongestion and hemorrhagic necrosis and a reduction in Ca(2+)-dependent NO synthase activity. Administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 3 mg/kg i.v.) augmented Ca(2+)-independent NO synthase activity (determined 4 h later) and reduced damage in response to intraluminal ethanol instillation. Ethanol treatment did not significantly affect induction of NO synthase activity. Dexamethasone pretreatment (1 mg/kg i.v. 2 h before LPS administration) reduced both Ca(2+)-independent NO synthase activity and the gastroprotective effect of LPS against ethanol-mediated mucosal injury. Likewise, concurrent administration of the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg s.c.) inhibited the gastroprotection associated with LPS treatment, an effect abolished by pretreatment with the NO substrate L-arginine (300 mg/kg s.c.). Indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) was ineffective in suppressing LPS-mediated gastroprotection. These results suggest that while Ca(2+)-dependent NO formation is inhibited by ethanol treatment, the inducible Ca(2+)-independent NO synthase plays a role in LPS-mediated gastroprotection against ethanol-mediated damage to the gastric mucosa.
The Impact of a Mega Event on Visitors’ Attitude Toward Hosting Destination: Using Trust Transfer Theory

ABSTRACT Despite the popularity of festivals and events, event managers and the hosting countries are not certain whether a successful event leads to favorable attitudes toward the hosting country. This study based on trust transfer theory considers the impact of attitude toward a mega event on attitude toward the hosting country. The study also examines two dimensions of perceived value related to the Shanghai Expo and their influences on attitude toward the event. The study finds that both emotional and functional dimensions of value offered by the Expo are important for evaluation of the event, although functional value is considered more important than emotional value. Supporting trust transfer theory, the study shows that attitude toward a mega event influences attitude toward the hosting country. The study also finds that both attitude toward a mega event and attitude toward the hosting country have a positive impact on visitors’ intentions to revisit China.
Post-Merger Stock Performance of Acquiring Hospitality Firms

This study examines the long-term post-merger stock performance of acquiring hospitality firms between 2000 and 2006 in the USA. The Jensen measure is used to investigate the long-term financial performance of acquiring hospitality firms. A sample of 15 hospitality companies with 8 lodging REITs and 7 hotel/casino companies is analysed. The companies' stock performances are compared against indices of related hotel and REITs sectors and against the S&P 500 index. The study generates mixed findings. The results showed significant positive gains for the acquiring firms when compared to the S&P 500 index; yet, the acquiring firms failed to generate significant gains when compared to sector indices. Furthermore, the REITs firms performed less well than the hotel/casino firms when compared against both market and sector indices.
Feasibility and Safety of En Bloc Resection for Primary Spine Tumors: A Systematic Review by the Spine Oncology Study Group

Study Design. Systematic review. Objectives. To determine the general feasibility and safety of en bloc resection for primary spine tumors by analyzing (1) the effect of incisional biopsy performed before definitive en bloc resection and (2) the rate of achievement of disease-free margins, morbidity, mortality, and health resource utilization. Summary of Background Data. The feasibility of en bloc resection is determined by careful surgical and oncologic staging, and a key step in this process is obtaining a tissue diagnosis. There is currently good evidence to support the premise that the best chance for surgical cure in primary tumors of the spine is by en bloc resection with disease-free margins; however, the early morbidity of these procedures begs the question of whether they are justified. Methods. A formal systematic review with search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases was undertaken. Included reports described patients with low grade malignant spine tumors, the method of staging and surgical resection, and the complications. Two blinded, independent reviewers used a standardized study selection worksheet. Results. About 89 articles were identified, with 8 selected after excluding small case series and studies that included other pathologies (e.g., metastatic disease). Weinstein, Boriani, Biagini staging accurately predicted the attainment of wide or marginal en bloc resection in 88% of cases. There was a clear increase in tumor recurrence when intralesional procedures were performed before the definitive en bloc resection. Tumor recurrence significantly shortened patient survival. Surgical complication rates ranged from 13% to 56% and mortality ranged from 0% to 7.7%. Conclusion. (1) Incisional biopsy or intralesional resection significantly increases the risk of local recurrence, therefore, transcutaneous computed tomography-guided trocar biopsy is recommended. When there is a suspicion of primary spine tumor, the surgeon who performs the definitive surgery should ideally perform or direct the biopsy procedure. (2) En bloc resection is achievable if staging determines that it is feasible. The adverse event profile of these surgeries is high even at experienced centers. Therefore, experienced, multidisciplinary teams should perform these surgeries. (3) Grade of Recommendation can be “strong recommendation, low-quality evidence. ”
Somatic and affective anxiety symptoms and menopausal hot flashes

Objective: Menopausal hot flashes have been associated with increased scores on measures of anxiety. Anxiety measures are typically composed of items measuring somatic and affective symptoms. Because hot flash symptoms are similar to symptoms of somatic anxiety, we wanted to examine the differential contribution of somatic anxiety and affective anxiety to hot flash scores. Methods: A total of 80 psychologically well-functioning postmenopausal women aged 50 to 64 years were administered the Zung Anxiety Index (ZAI), from which total score, somatic anxiety subscale score, and affective anxiety subscale score were calculated. The outcome measure was a hot flash score that incorporated both frequency and severity based on a 7-day diary. A linear regression analysis examined the association between hot flashes and the two anxiety subscales controlling for age, education, and sleep quality. Results: Higher score on somatic anxiety was significantly associated with higher hot flash score (P = 0.04), whereas the association with affective anxiety was not significant (P = 0.80). Higher total score on the ZAI was also significantly associated with higher hot flash score (P = 0.02). Conclusions: These results suggest that the positive association between higher ZAI scores and hot flashes in recently postmenopausal women may be due to the overlap between the somatic manifestation of hot flashes and anxiety symptoms rather than to an affective anxiety disturbance. These results have potential implications for the care and treatment of postmenopausal women, but replication is required in other samples including women at different transition stages of menopause and women with psychiatric comorbidities.
The longer term outcomes of community care: a 12 year follow-up of the Camberwell High Contact Survey

Background. There is as yet little evidence available regarding the long-term outcomes of people with severe and enduring mental illness who have been cared for primarily in the community. Methods. A 12-year follow-up was carried out of the clinical and social problems and needs for care of a group of long-term mentally ill patients (N=81) who were heavy users of psychiatric services when originally assessed in the Camberwell High Contact Survey between 1983 and 1985. The MRC Needs for Care Assessment Schedule used in the original baseline study was repeated at follow-up. Results. The clinical and social functioning of the group had remained relatively stable, with high levels of problems and needs at both time points and little evidence of significant improvement or deterioration. The majority had remained in contact with services. There was some increase in levels of unmet as well as met needs, and a decrease in ratings of unmeetable needs, which may have been due to changes in clinical practice. Conclusion. The challenge for current service providers is not only to keep clients stable, but also to help improve the clinical and social functioning of people who may no longer be the highest priority of current community mental health services. This could be approached by identifying the continuing needs of this group, and persistently delivering active treatments.
Carboxypeptidase‐B activation peptide, a marker of pancreatic acinar injury, but not l‐selectin, a marker of neutrophil activation, predicts severity of acute pancreatitis

Background: Severity prediction is difficult early in the course of acute pancreatitis. Markers of pancreatic injury, or inflammatory activation are candidate markers of severity. The aim of the present study was to assess predictive abilities of carboxypeptidase‐B activation peptide (CAPAP‐B) and soluble l‐selectin (sL‐selectin) using samples collected on admission to hospital.
A DC-Voltage-Controlled Variable Capacitor for Stabilizing the ZVS Frequency of a Resonant Converter for Wireless Power Transfer

Varactors are often used in phase-locked-loop (PLL) circuits for dynamic frequency control. However, the voltage and current ratings of varactors are too low to be used in most power electronic circuits. This paper proposes a transistor-controlled variable capacitor (TCVC), which functions similar to varactors in that its equivalent capacitance can be controlled by a dc voltage. However, TCVC can handle high voltages and currents so that it can be used in dc-ac power converters of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems such as an autonomous push-pull resonant converter to adjust its zero voltage switching (ZVS) frequency so that the operating frequency of the system can be stabilized to simplify the circuit and EMI filter design particularly for WPT systems with multiple power pickups while maintaining soft-switching operation of the converter against magnetic coupling and load variations. The relationship between the equivalent capacitance of the TCVC and the dc control voltage is developed by theoretical analysis and verified by experimental results. A prototype circuit is built with a PLL controller to demonstrate that the soft-switching condition of the converter is maintained when the operating frequency is locked in at 1.65 MHz under load and magnetic coupling variations.
Electrical remodelling of the left and right atria due to rheumatic mitral stenosis.

AIMS To characterize the atrial remodelling in mitral stenosis (MS). METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-four patients with severe MS undergoing commissurotomy and 24 controls were studied. Electrophysiological evaluation was performed in 12 patients in each group by positioning multi-electrode catheters in both atria to determine the following: effective refractory period (ERP) at 10 sites at 600 and 450 ms; conduction time; conduction delay at the crista terminalis (CT); and vulnerability for atrial fibrillation (AF). P-wave duration (PWD) was determined on the surface ECG. In the remaining 12 patients in each group, electroanatomic maps of both atria were created to determine conduction velocity and identify regions of low voltage and electrical silence. Patients with MS had larger left atria (LA) (P < 0.0001); prolonged PWD (P = 0.0007); prolonged ERP in both LA (P < 0.0001) and right atria (RA) (P < 0.0001); reduced conduction velocity in the LA (P = 0.009) and RA (P < 0.0001); greater number (P < 0.0001) and duration (P< 0.0001) of bipoles along the CT with delayed conduction; lower atrial voltage in the LA (P < 0.0001) and RA (P < 0.0001); and more frequent electrical scar (P = 0.001) compared with controls. Five of twelve with MS and none of the controls developed AF with extra-stimulus (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION Atrial remodelling in MS is characterized by LA enlargement, loss of myocardium, and scarring associated with widespread and site-specific conduction abnormalities and no change or an increase in ERP. These abnormalities were associated with a heightened inducibility of AF.
A MEMS-Assisted Temperature Sensor With 20- μK Resolution, Conversion Rate of 200 S/s, and FOM of 0.04 pJK2

This paper presents a dual-microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator-based temperature sensor. In this sensor, the readout circuit estimates the temperature by measuring the frequency ratio of the two clocks generated by separate resonators with different temperature coefficients. The circuit is realized in a 0.18-μm CMOS process and achieves a resolution of 20 μK over a bandwidth of 100 Hz while consuming 19 mW of power, leading to a resolution FOM of 0.04 pJK2. It enables us to implement a MEMS-based programmable oscillator with an Allan deviation of <;1e-10 over 1 s averaging time, and a frequency stability of <;±0.1 parts per million in the temperature range from -45 °C to 105 °C. Such oscillators are key building blocks in telecom, datacom, and precision timekeeping applications.