Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Positive Affect Induction via Metta Meditation on the Attentional Blink

The attentional blink (AB) is a reduced ability to detect a stimulus presented too quickly (~500ms) after a previously detected stimulus. Mindfulness meditation reduces the AB, and has been explained in terms of the altered attentional resource allocation skills of meditators (Slagter et al., 2007). However, mindfulness meditation also increases positive affect (Davidson et al., 2003), and positive affect has been shown to reduce the AB (Olivers & Nieuwenhuis, 2006). Thus, a positive-affect focused meditation (Metta) may also reduce the AB. While brief practice of Metta meditation prior to engaging in an AB task failed to significantly reduce the AB, these results are useful in determining an approximate effect threshold, currently unknown with respect to meditation (Carmody & Baer, 2009).
Drug Benefit Decisions among Older Adults: A Policy-Capturing Analysis

Purpose . Under the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, beneficiaries remaining in the traditional fee-for-service plan will face a variety of drug benefit options provided by private stand-alone prescription drug plans. Although these plans likely will differ with regard to a number of important attributes, little is known about older adults’ judgment processes in this context. The objectives of this study were to 1) better understand the manner in which drug insurance attributes are weighted in older adults’ judgments of drug benefit suitability, 2) explore variability in judgment strategies among seniors, and 3) assess seniors’ insight into their judgment policies. Methods . Three focus groups were conducted with 19 older adults to elicit important drug plan attributes. A policy-capturing study with 32 seniors, none of whom had participated in the focus groups, then was employed to quantify the impacts of these attributes on judgments of plan suitability. Results . Focus group participants reported that copayment, monthly premium, deductible, formulary use, and mail-order pharmacy use were important drug insurance attributes. The policy-capturing study showed that deductibles and premiums were weighted most heavily in judgment formation. However, significant variability in judgment policies was apparent, with 3 distinct groups emerging from cluster analysis. The first emphasized deductibles and copayments, the second premiums and deductibles, and the third use of a mail-order pharmacy and deductibles. Study volunteers exhibited insight into the role of some plan attributes in their judgments, but notm others. Conclusions. Cost-sharing provisions appear to be most important in older adults’ evaluations of drug benefit plans. However, significant heterogeneity in attribute preferences also was apparent in this study. Older adults may not be cognizant of the manner in which some plan attributes affect their evaluations, suggesting a role for decision aids in this process.
Differences in phagocytosis susceptibility in Haemophilus parasuis strains

Haemophilus parasuis is a colonizer of the upper respiratory tract of healthy pigs, but virulent strains can cause a systemic infection characterized by fibrinous polyserositis, commonly known as Glässer’s disease. The variability in virulence that is observed among H. parasuis strains is not completely understood, since the virulence mechanisms of H. parasuis are largely unknown. In the course of infection, H. parasuis has to survive the host pulmonary defences, which include alveolar macrophages, to produce disease. Using strains from different clinical backgrounds, we were able to detect clear differences in susceptibility to phagocytosis. Strains isolated from the nose of healthy animals were efficiently phagocytosed by porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM), while strains isolated from systemic lesions were resistant to this interaction. Phagocytosis of susceptible strains proceeded through mechanisms independent of a specific receptor, which involved actin filaments and microtubules. In all the systemic strains tested in this study, we observed a distinct capsule after interaction with PAM, indicating a role of this surface structure in phagocytosis resistance. However, additional mechanisms of resistance to phagocytosis should be explored, since we detected different effects of microtubule inhibition among systemic strains.
Reduction of parameter sensitivity in an induction motor current regulator using integrated pilot sensors in the low-side switches

A closed-loop synchronous-frame current regulator for an induction machine drive has been developed that is capable of delivering high-quality performance characteristics using integrated pilot current sensors in the three low-side switches of a three-phase bridge inverter. However, the necessary current reconstruction exhibits sensitivity to errors in the machine parameters that has been documented during this investigation. This work presents a technique for introducing a gated integrator into the controller gain amplifier that compensates for parameter errors using feedback information from all three of the phase currents during the periodic intervals when it is available. A numerical singularity in the current reconstruction algorithm during light-load operation is overcome by introducing an alternative first-order current estimator that is activated over narrow angular spans of the fundamental component vector rotation. This paper also presents an in-situ technique to compensate gain differences between the three pilot devices in the inverter unit. The effectiveness of these improvements is verified using experimental results.
Current role of positron emission tomography in thoracic oncology

Continuing advances in PET imaging have resulted in an improved ability to evaluate thoracic malignancies. Published reports demonstrate that PET provides accurate, non-invasive detection and staging of thoracic malignancy. Preliminary studies suggest that PET may also be able to assess the therapeutic response accurately. The studies investigating PET have been relatively small but have shown statistically significant advantages over conventional non-invasive techniques in accuracy and possibly even cost/benefit performance in thoracic malignancies.
The role of individual characteristics and judgment pattern in attitude towards euthanasia

Introduction: While euthanasia is the most controversial subject in end-of-life care field, there is very little available information about psychological correlations of attitude towards it particularly in Iran. The present study aimed "to assess the acceptance rate of euthanasia and evaluate the role of personality and religious variables in attitudes towards euthanasia". Methods: This was a descriptive-an alytical study on 233 students of Tehran University. The data collection tools included the following questionnaires: euthanasia acceptance, euthanasia attitude scale, five-factor personality models and religious orientation scale. Furthermore, the participants studied the "Trolley Scenario" and judged about it. The data were analyzed using software SPSS and descriptive and inferential statistics including frequency, t-test, correlation and regression. Results: The results indicated that 63.9% and 58.8% of the participants were opposed with active and passive euthanasia, respectively. The opposition rate with active euthanasia was more than the opposition rate with passive one (p<0.05). Sex and age of the participants had no association with acceptance of euthanasia and attitude towards it. Among the personality and religious variables, only the religious variables were associated (negatively) with attitude towards euthanasia. Besides, the judgment pattern of the pros and cons of euthanasia had not so much difference. Conclusion: According to the study findings, the majority of the Iranian students were opposed with euthanasia and their opposition with active euthanasia was more than that of the passive one. The role of religiosity in opposition with euthanasia was not affected by the personality factors. The findings of the present study in addition to emphasizing the difference of active and passive euthanasia, weakly supported the slippery slope argument.
Ubiquitination of CXCR7 Controls Receptor Trafficking

The chemokine receptor CXCR7 binds CXCL11 and CXCL12 with high affinity, chemokines that were previously thought to bind exclusively to CXCR4 and CXCR3, respectively. Expression of CXCR7 has been associated with cardiac development as well as with tumor growth and progression. Despite having all the canonical features of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the signalling pathways following CXCR7 activation remain controversial, since unlike typical chemokine receptors, CXCR7 fails to activate Gαi-proteins. CXCR7 has recently been shown to interact with β-arrestins and such interaction has been suggested to be responsible for G protein-independent signals through ERK-1/2 phosphorylation. Signal transduction by CXCR7 is controlled at the membrane by the process of GPCR trafficking. In the present study we investigated the regulatory processes triggered by CXCR7 activation as well as the molecular interactions that participate in such processes. We show that, CXCR7 internalizes and recycles back to the cell surface after agonist exposure, and that internalization is not only β-arrestin-mediated but also dependent on the Serine/Threonine residues at the C-terminus of the receptor. Furthermore we describe, for the first time, the constitutive ubiquitination of CXCR7. Such ubiquitination is a key modification responsible for the correct trafficking of CXCR7 from and to the plasma membrane. Moreover, we found that CXCR7 is reversibly de-ubiquitinated upon treatment with CXCL12. Finally, we have also identified the Lysine residues at the C-terminus of CXCR7 to be essential for receptor cell surface delivery. Together these data demonstrate the differential regulation of CXCR7 compared to the related CXCR3 and CXCR4 receptors, and highlight the importance of understanding the molecular determinants responsible for this process.
The “collimator monitoring fill factor” of a two‐dimensional detector array, a measure of its ability to detect collimation errors

Purpose: Two‐dimensional detector arrays are routinely used for constancy checks and treatment plan verification in photon‐beam radiotherapy. In addition to the spatial resolution of the dose profiles, the “coverage” of the radiation field with respect to the detection of any beam collimation deficiency appears as the second characteristic feature of a detector array. The here proposed “collimator monitoring fill factor” (CM fill factor) has been conceived to serve as a quantitative characteristic of this “coverage”. Methods: The CM fill factor is defined as the probability of a 2D array to detect any collimator position error. Therefore, it is represented by the ratio of the “sensitive area” of a single detector, in which collimator position errors are detectable, and the geometrical “cell area” associated with this detector within the array. Numerical values of the CM fill factor have been Monte Carlo simulated for 2D detector arrays equipped with air‐vented ionization chambers, liquid‐filled ionization chambers and diode detectors and were compared with the “FWHM fill factor” defined by Gago‐Arias et al. (2012). Results: For arrays with vented ionization chambers, the differences between the CM fill factor and the FWHM fill factor are moderate, but occasionally the latter exceeds unity. For narrower detectors such as liquid‐filled ionization chambers and Si diodes and for small sampling distances, large differences between the FWHM fill factor and the CM fill factor have been observed. These differences can be explained by the shapes of the fluence response functions of these narrow detectors. Conclusions: A new parameter “collimator monitoring fill factor” (CM fill factor), applicable to quantitate the collimator position error detection probability of a 2D detector array, has been proposed. It is designed as a help in classifying the clinical performance of two‐dimensional detector arrays in photon‐beam radiotherapy.
Development of a patient-specific model for calculation of pulmonary function

The purpose of this paper is to develop a patient-specific finite element model (FEM) to calculate the pulmonary function of lung cancer patients for evaluation of radiation treatment. The lung model was created with an in-house developed FEM software with region-specific parameters derived from a four-dimensional CT (4DCT) image. The model was used first to calculate changes in air volume and elastic stress in the lung, and then to calculate regional compliance defined as the change in air volume corrected by its associated stress. The results have shown that the resultant compliance images can reveal the regional elastic property of lung tissue, and could be useful for radiation treatment planning and assessment.
Effect of bacterial protein meal on protein and energy metabolism in growing chickens

Abstract This experiment investigates the effect of increasing the dietary content of bacterial protein meal (BPM) on the protein and energy metabolism, and carcass chemical composition of growing chickens. Seventy-two Ross male chickens were allocated to four diets, each in three replicates with 0% (D0), 2% (D2), 4% (D4), and 6% BPM (D6), BPM providing up to 20% of total dietary N. Five balance experiments were conducted when the chickens were 3 – 7, 10 – 14, 17 – 21, 23 – 27, and 30 – 34 days old. During the same periods, 22-h respiration experiments (indirect calorimetry) were performed with groups of 6 chickens (period 1), 5 chickens (period 2), and one chicken (periods 3 – 5). After each balance period, one chicken in each cage was killed and the carcass weight was recorded. Chemical analyses were performed on the carcasses from periods 1, 3, and 5. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate were found to be similar for all diets. Chickens on D0 retained 1.59 g N · kg−0.75 · d−1, significantly more than chickens on D2, D4, and D6, which retained 1.44 g, 1.52 g, and 1.50 g N · kg−0.75 · d−1, respectively. This was probably caused by the higher nitrogen content of D0. Neither the HE (p = 0.92) nor the retention of energy (p = 0.88) were affected by diet. Carcass composition was similar between diets, in line with the values for protein and energy retention found in the balance and respiration experiments. It was concluded that the overall protein and energy metabolism as well as carcass composition were not influenced by a dietary content of up to 6% BPM corresponding to 20% of dietary N.
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES REVISITING THE MINIMUM WAGE-EMPLOYMENT DEBATE: THROWING OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATHWATER?

We revisit the minimum wage-employment debate, which is as old as the Department of Labor. In particular, we assess new studies claiming that the standard panel data approach used in much of the “new minimum wage research” is flawed because it fails to account for spatial heterogeneity. These new studies use research designs intended to control for this heterogeneity and conclude that minimum wages in the United States have not reduced employment. We explore the ability of these research designs to isolate reliable identifying information and test the untested assumptions in this new research about the construction of better control groups. Our evidence points to serious problems with these research designs. Moreover, new evidence based on methods that let the data identify the appropriate control groups leads to stronger evidence of disemployment effects, with teen employment elasticities near -0.3. We conclude that the evidence still shows that minimum wages pose a tradeoff of higher wages for some against job losses for others, and that policymakers need to bear this tradeoff in mind when making decisions about increasing the minimum wage. David Neumark Department of Economics University of California at Irvine 3151 Social Science Plaza Irvine, CA 92697 and NBER dneumark@uci.edu J.M. Ian Salas Department of Economics University of California, Irvine 3151 Social Science Plaza Irvine, CA 92697 jmisalas@uci.edu William Wascher Federal Reserve Board Stop 66 Washington, DC 20551 william.l. wascher@frb.gov
Memory reconsolidation and its maintenance depend on L-voltage-dependent calcium channels and CaMKII functions regulating protein turnover in the hippocampus

Immediate postretrieval bilateral blockade of long-acting voltage–dependent calcium channels (L-VDCCs), but not of glutamatergic NMDA receptors, in the dorsal CA1 region of the hippocampus hinders retention of long-term spatial memory in the Morris water maze. Immediate postretrieval bilateral inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) II in dorsal CA1 does not affect retention of this task 24 h later but does hinder it 5 d later. These two distinct amnesic effects are abolished if protein degradation by proteasomes is inhibited concomitantly. These results indicate that spatial memory reconsolidation depends on the functionality of L-VDCC in dorsal CA1, that maintenance of subsequent reconsolidated memory trace depends on CaMKII, and these results also suggest that the role played by both L-VDCC and CaMKII is to promote the retrieval-dependent, synaptically localized enhancement of protein synthesis necessary to counteract a retrieval-dependent, synaptic-localized enhancement of protein degradation, which has been described as underlying the characteristic labilization of the memory trace triggered by retrieval. Thus, conceivably, L-VDCC and CaMKII would enhance activity-dependent localized protein renewal, which may account for the improvement of the long-term efficiency of the synapses responsible for the maintenance of reactivated long-term spatial memory.
Partial purification of crude stem bromelain improves it sensitivity as a protease inhibitive assay for heavy metals

The protease inhibitive assay for heavy metals is a novel and robust detection method suitable for preliminary screening method for detecting heavy metals in agriculture and environment samples. Stem bromelain has been previously showed to be sensitive towards mercury and copper. However, commercial preparation is in crude form and contains possible interfering entities. Using ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, a 5.6 fold purification was achieved. The partially purified fraction showed significantly lower IC50s (p<0.05) for both copper and mercury than the crude fraction demonstrating that partial purification improves the sensitivity of the bromelain inhibitive assay for heavy metals.
IL-13 and IL-4 Up-Regulate Cysteinyl Leukotriene 1 Receptor Expression in Human Monocytes and Macrophages1

The cysteinyl (Cys) leukotrienes (LT)C4, LTD4, and LTE4, are lipid mediators that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma. The human LTD4 receptor (CysLT1R) was recently cloned and characterized. The present work was undertaken to study the potential modulation of CysLT1R expression by the Th2 cytokines IL-13 and IL-4. In this study, we report that IL-13 up-regulates CysLT1R mRNA levels, with consequently enhanced CysLT1R protein expression and function in human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. CysLT1R mRNA expression was augmented 2- to 5-fold following treatment with IL-13 and was due to enhanced transcriptional activity. The effect was observed after 4 h, was maximal by 8 h, and maintained at 24 h. IL-4, but not IFN-γ, induced a similar pattern of CysLT1R up-regulation. Monocytes pretreated with IL-13 or IL-4 for 24 h showed enhanced CysLT1R protein expression, as assessed by flow cytometry using a polyclonal anti-CysLT1R Ab. They also showed enhanced responsiveness to LTD4, but not to LTB4, in terms of Ca2+ mobilization, as well as augmented chemotactic activity. Our findings suggest a possible mechanism by which IL-13 and IL-4 can modulate CysLT1R expression on monocytes and macrophages, and consequently their responsiveness to LTD4, and thus contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic diseases.
A PHASE 2 MULTIPLE ASCENDING DOSE TRIAL OF BAPINEUZUMAB IN MILD TO MODERATE ALZHEIMER DISEASE

A PHASE 2 MULTIPLE ASCENDING DOSE TRIAL OF BAPINEUZUMAB IN MILD TO MODERATE ALZHEIMER DISEASE To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Salloway et al.,1 who describe a phase 2 ascending dose trial where bapineuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed at the N-terminus of A beta, was tested in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Although bapineuzumab did not affect the primary endpoint of cognitive outcome, APOE4 was associated with increased incidence of vasogenic edema. These results—along with other studies demonstrating an interaction between APOE polymorphism and treatment effect—highlight the importance of understanding pharmacogenomic interactions between APOE genotype and therapeutic strategies when designing future clinical trials.2 Since the original association was made between APOE genotype and risk of developing AD,3 there has been a strong focus on examining the isoformspecific effects of apoE on amyloid metabolism. Salloway et al. speculate that an increase in vascular amyloid burden may have resulted in vasogenic edema in APOE4 carriers. However, there are data suggesting that apoE modifies CNS inflammatory responses in an isoform-specific fashion; a potential common denominator for its role in acute and chronic neurologic diseases. In particular, the APOE4 polymorphism is associated with enhanced glial activation and neuroinflammatory responses.4 Thus, although the effect of APOE4 on the development of vasogenic edema was unanticipated, it is consistent with the possibility that APOE4 carrier status is associated with increased and potentially dangerous neuroinflammatory responses in trials of immunotherapies designed to promote A beta clearance. Conversely, therapies that suppress inflammatory responses, such as treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, may benefit patients with the APOE4 allele. The Cardiovascular Health Study also demonstrated a protective effect of NSAIDs in APOE4 carriers, although there was no selective advantage in NSAIDs that lowered AB42.5 Although the amyloid cascade hypothesis supports the pathophysiology of AD, a more complete understanding of the adaptive and maladaptive role of glial activation and neuroinflammation is essential in targeting immunomodulatory therapies. It may be beneficial to focus on the isoform-specific role that apoE plays in modifying neuroinflammatory responses. Clarifying this role may target novel therapies and potential adverse effects.