The influence of 'significant others' on persistent back pain and work participation: a qualitative exploration of illness perceptions

Background Individual illness perceptions have been highlighted as important influences on clinical outcomes for back pain. However, the illness perceptions of 'significant others' (spouse/partner/close family member) are rarely explored, particularly in relation to persistent back pain and work participation. The aim of this study was to initiate qualitative research in this area in order to further understand these wider influences on outcome. Methods Semi-structured interviews based on the chronic pain version of the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised were conducted with a convenience sample of UK disability benefit claimants, along with their significant others (n=5 dyads). Data were analysed using template analysis. Results Significant others shared, and perhaps further reinforced, claimants' unhelpful illness beliefs including fear of pain/re-injury associated with certain types of work and activity, and pessimism about the likelihood of return to work. In some cases, significant others appeared more resigned to the permanence and negative inevitable consequences of the claimant's back pain condition on work participation, and were more sceptical about the availability of suitable work and sympathy from employers. In their pursuit of authenticity, claimants were keen to stress their desire to work whilst emphasising how the severity and physical limitations of their condition prevented them from doing so. In this vein, and seemingly based on their perceptions of what makes a 'good' significant other, significant others acted as a 'witness to pain', supporting claimants' self-limiting behaviour and statements of incapacity, often responding with empathy and assistance. The beliefs and responses of significant others may also have been influenced by their own experience of chronic illness, thus participants lives were often intertwined and defined by illness. Conclusions The findings from this exploratory study reveal how others and wider social circumstances might contribute both to the propensity of persistent back pain and to its consequences. This is an area that has received little attention to date, and wider support of these findings may usefully inform the design of future intervention programmes aimed at restoring work participation

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: Revising the Fraction of Slow Rotators in IFS Galaxy Surveys

The fraction of galaxies supported by internal rotation compared to galaxies stabilized by internal pressure provides a strong constraint on galaxy formation models. In integral field spectroscopy surveys, this fraction is biased because survey instruments typically only trace the inner parts of the most massive galaxies. We present aperture corrections for the two most widely used stellar kinematic quantities $V/\sigma$ and $\lambda_{R}$. Our demonstration involves integral field data from the SAMI Galaxy Survey and the ATLAS$^{\rm{3D}}$ Survey. We find a tight relation for both $V/\sigma$ and $\lambda_{R}$ when measured in different apertures that can be used as a linear transformation as a function of radius, i.e., a first-order aperture correction. We find that $V/\sigma$ and $\lambda_{R}$ radial growth curves are well approximated by second order polynomials. By only fitting the inner profile (0.5$R_{\rm{e}}$), we successfully recover the profile out to one $R_{\rm{e}}$ if a constraint between the linear and quadratic parameter in the fit is applied. However, the aperture corrections for $V/\sigma$ and $\lambda_{R}$ derived by extrapolating the profiles perform as well as applying a first-order correction. With our aperture-corrected $\lambda_{R}$ measurements, we find that the fraction of slow rotating galaxies increases with stellar mass. For galaxies with $\log M_{*}/M_{\odot}>$ 11, the fraction of slow rotators is $35.9\pm4.3$ percent, but is underestimated if galaxies without coverage beyond one $R_{\rm{e}}$ are not included in the sample ($24.2\pm5.3$ percent). With measurements out to the largest aperture radius the slow rotator fraction is similar as compared to using aperture corrected values ($38.3\pm4.4$ percent). Thus, aperture effects can significantly bias stellar kinematic IFS studies, but this bias can now be removed with the method outlined here.Comment: Accepted for Publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 16 pages and 11 figures. The key figures of the paper are: 1, 4, 9, and 1

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: gravitational potential and surface density drive stellar populations -- I. early-type galaxies

The well-established correlations between the mass of a galaxy and the properties of its stars are considered evidence for mass driving the evolution of the stellar population. However, for early-type galaxies (ETGs), we find that $g-i$ color and stellar metallicity [Z/H] correlate more strongly with gravitational potential $\Phi$ than with mass $M$, whereas stellar population age correlates best with surface density $\Sigma$. Specifically, for our sample of 625 ETGs with integral-field spectroscopy from the SAMI Galaxy Survey, compared to correlations with mass, the color--$\Phi$, [Z/H]--$\Phi$, and age--$\Sigma$ relations show both smaller scatter and less residual trend with galaxy size. For the star formation duration proxy [$\alpha$/Fe], we find comparable results for trends with $\Phi$ and $\Sigma$, with both being significantly stronger than the [$\alpha$/Fe]-$M$ relation. In determining the strength of a trend, we analyze both the overall scatter, and the observational uncertainty on the parameters, in order to compare the intrinsic scatter in each correlation. These results lead us to the following inferences and interpretations: (1) the color--$\Phi$ diagram is a more precise tool for determining the developmental stage of the stellar population than the conventional color--mass diagram; and (2) gravitational potential is the primary regulator of global stellar metallicity, via its relation to the gas escape velocity. Furthermore, we propose the following two mechanisms for the age and [$\alpha$/Fe] relations with $\Sigma$: (a) the age--$\Sigma$ and [$\alpha$/Fe]--$\Sigma$ correlations arise as results of compactness driven quenching mechanisms; and/or (b) as fossil records of the $\Sigma_{SFR}\propto\Sigma_{gas}$ relation in their disk-dominated progenitors.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, 1 table Accepted to Ap

The association of female reproductive factors with glaucoma and related traits: A systematic review

TOPIC: This systematic review summarizes the existing evidence for the association between female reproductive factors (age at menarche, parity, oral contraceptive (OC) use, age at menopause, and postmenopausal hormone (PMH) use) and intraocular pressure (IOP) or open-angle glaucoma (OAG). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding the association between female reproductive factors and glaucoma may shed light on disease pathogenesis and aid clinical prediction and personalized treatment strategies. Importantly, some factors are modifiable which may lead to new therapies. METHODS: Two reviewers independently extracted articles in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify relevant studies. Eligibility criteria included studies with human subjects over 18 years of age; a measured exposure of at least one of the following: age at menarche, parity, OC use, age at menopause, PMH use; a measured outcome of either IOP or OAG; a cohort, case-control, cross-sectional or randomized-controlled trial design; and a reported measure of association including hazard, risk or odds ratio or mean difference with associated confidence intervals. RESULTS: We included a total of 27 studies. Substantial differences in study design, exposure and treatment levels, treatment duration and variable reporting precluded meaningful quantitative synthesis of the identified studies. Overall, relatively consistent associations between PMH use and lower IOP were identified. With respect to OAG, estrogen-only PMH use may be associated with lower OAG risk and this association may be modified by race. No significant associations were found with combined estrogen + progesterone PMH use. No strong associations between parity, or age at menarche and glaucoma were found, but a younger age at menopause was associated with increased glaucoma risk, and adverse associations were identified with longer duration of OC use, though no overall association with OC use was found. CONCLUSION: The association between PMH use and lower IOP/OAG risk is a potentially clinically relevant and modifiable risk factor and should be investigated further, although this needs to be interpreted in the context of a high risk of bias across included studies. There is a need for future research examining associations with IOP specifically, and how the relationship between genetic factors and OAG risk may be influenced by female reproductive factors

Bioregions in marine environments: Combining Biological and Environmental Data for Management and Scientific Understanding

Bioregions are important tools for understanding and managing natural resources. Bioregions should describe locations of relatively homogenous assemblages of species occur, enabling managers to better regulate activities that might affect these assemblages. Many existing bioregionalization approaches, which rely on expert-derived, Delphic comparisons or environmental surrogates, do not explicitly include observed biological data in such analyses. We highlight that, for bioregionalizations to be useful and reliable for systems scientists and managers, the bioregionalizations need to be based on biological data; to include an easily understood assessment of uncertainty, preferably in a spatial format matching the bioregions; and to be scientifically transparent and reproducible. Statistical models provide a scientifically robust, transparent, and interpretable approach for ensuring that bioregions are formed on the basis of observed biological and physical data. Using statistically derived bioregions provides a repeatable framework for the spatial representation of biodiversity at multiple spatial scales. This results in better-informed management decisions and biodiversity conservation outcomes.Peer reviewe

Precise segmentation of densely interweaving neuron clusters using G-Cut

脑是宇宙间最为复杂的系统之一，成人的脑中有约1000亿个神经元，单个神经元通常与其它神经元有成千上万个“突触”连接节点，形成拥有百万亿级连接的极其复杂的脑神经网络。当前多数神经元三维重建和分析工具仅适用于单个神经元的形态学重建，难以从神经元簇图像中正确追踪重建出多个神经元，而神经元的重建质量又影响到量化分析神经元的形态学特征及其功能。针对这一问题，课题组提出一种新的三维神经元簇重建工具G-Cut。具体地，为了度量神经元胞体与神经突起间的关联性，课题组从已有的带有标注的大规模神经元形态学数据集统计分析得到其规律和形态学信息。然后将神经元簇的重建问题转化为神经突起之间连接所形成的拓扑连接图的图分割问题，并结合神经元形态学规律和信息，在所有的神经突起与神经元胞体的关联性中寻找重建问题的最优解。通过在不同的合成数据集以及真实的脑组织图像数据集上测试，和已有的方法相比，G-Cut在不同密度和不同规模的神经元簇图像上均获得了更高的重建正确率。该项研究工作由厦门大学，南加州大学，加州大学洛杉矶分校等高校课题组合作完成，厦门大学信息学院智能科学与技术系为第一完成单位，厦门大学博士生李睿和USC博士生Muye Zhu为论文共同第一作者，张俊松博士和南加州大学的Hong-Wei Dong教授为论文共同通讯作者。厦门大学周昌乐教授和南加州大学的Arthur Toga教授为研究提供了大力支持。【Abstract】Characterizing the precise three-dimensional morphology and anatomical context of neurons is crucial for neuronal cell type classification and circuitry mapping. Recent advances in tissue clearing techniques and microscopy make it possible to obtain image stacks of intact, interweaving neuron clusters in brain tissues. As most current 3D neuronal morphology reconstruction methods are only applicable to single neurons, it remains challenging to reconstruct these clusters digitally. To advance the state of the art beyond these challenges, we propose a fast and robust method named G-Cut that is able to automatically segment individual neurons from an interweaving neuron cluster. Across various densely interconnected neuron clusters, G-Cut achieves significantly higher accuracies than other state-of-the-art algorithms. G-Cut is intended as a robust component in a high throughput informatics pipeline for large-scale brain mapping projects.This work was supported by NIH/NIMH MH094360-01A1 (H.W.D.), MH094360-06 (H.W.D.), NIH/NCI U01CA198932-01 (H.W.D.), NIH/NIMH MH106008 (X.W.Y. and H.W.D.), National Nature Science Foundation of China No. 61772440 (J.S.Z.), and National Basic Research Program of China 2013CB329502 (J.S.Z. and C.L.Z.). We thank a support of Graduate Student International Exchange Project of Xiamen University to R.L. and State Scholarship Fund of China Scholarship Council (No. 201406315023) to J.S.Z. 该项研究得到国家自然科学基金、国家重点基础研究发展计划973项目、国家留学基金、厦门大学研究生国际交流项目、美国脑计划和NIH等课题资助

Implementation of a novel stratified PAthway of CarE for common musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in primary care: Protocol for a multicentre pragmatic randomised controlled trial (the PACE MSK trial)

Introduction Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions constitute the highest burden of disease globally, with healthcare services often utilised inappropriately and overburdened. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel clinical PAthway of CarE programme (PACE programme), where care is provided based on people's risk of poor outcome. Methods and analysis Multicentre randomised controlled trial. 716 people with MSK conditions (low back pain, neck pain or knee osteoarthritis) will be recruited in primary care. They will be stratified for risk of a poor outcome (low risk/high risk) using the Short Form Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (SF-ÖMSPQ) then randomised to usual care (n=358) or the PACE programme (n=358). Participants at low risk in the PACE programme will receive up to 3 sessions of guideline based care from their primary healthcare professional (HCP) supported by a custom designed website (mypainhub.com). Those at high risk will be referred to an allied health MSK specialist who will conduct a comprehensive patient-centred assessment then liaise with the primary HCP to determine further care. Primary outcome (SF 12-item PCS) and secondary outcomes (eg, pain self-efficacy, psychological health) will be collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Cost-effectiveness will be measured as cost per quality-Adjusted life-year gained. Health economic analysis will include direct and indirect costs. Analyses will be conducted on an intention-To-Treat basis. Primary and secondary outcomes will be analysed independently, using generalised linear models. Qualitative and mixed-methods studies embedded within the trial will evaluate patient experience, health professional practice and interprofessional collaboration. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval has been received from the following Human Research Ethics Committees: The University of Sydney (2018/926), The University of Queensland (2019000700/2018/926), University of Melbourne (1954239), Curtin University (HRE2019-0263) and Northern Sydney Local Health District (2019/ETH03632). Dissemination of findings will occur via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and social media. Trial registration number ACTRN12619000871145

The SAMI Galaxy Survey: Decomposed Stellar Kinematics of Galaxy Bulges and Disks

We investigate the stellar kinematics of the bulge and disk components in 826 galaxies with a wide range of morphology from the Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral-field spectroscopy (SAMI) Galaxy Survey. The spatially-resolved rotation velocity (V) and velocity dispersion ($\sigma$) of bulge and disk components have been simultaneously estimated using the penalized pixel fitting (pPXF) method with photometrically defined weights for the two components. We introduce a new subroutine of pPXF for dealing with degeneracy in the solutions. We show that the V and $\sigma$ distributions in each galaxy can be reconstructed using the kinematics and weights of the bulge and disk components. The combination of two distinct components provides a consistent description of the major kinematic features of galaxies over a wide range of morphological types. We present Tully-Fisher and Faber-Jackson relations showing that the galaxy stellar mass scales with both V and $\sigma$ for both components of all galaxy types. We find a tight Faber-Jackson relation even for the disk component. We show that the bulge and disk components are kinematically distinct: (1) the two components show scaling relations with similar slopes, but different intercepts; (2) the spin parameter $\lambda_R$ indicates bulges are pressure-dominated systems and disks are supported by rotation; (3) the bulge and disk components have, respectively, low and high values in intrinsic ellipticity. Our findings suggest that the relative contributions of the two components explain, at least to first order, the complex kinematic behaviour of galaxies.Comment: 22 pages, 21 figures; Accepted for publication in MNRA