Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Massachusetts Correctional Facilities

Mindfulness-based stress-reduction courses were offered in drug units in six Massachusetts Department of Corrections prisons. A total of 1,350 inmates completed the 113 courses. Evaluation assessments were held before and after each course, and highly significant pre- to post-course improvements were found on widely accepted self-report measures of hostility, self-esteem, and mood disturbance. Improvements for women were greater than those for men, and improvements were also greater for men in a minimum-security, pre-release facility than for those in four medium-security facilities. The results encourage further study and wider use of mindfulness-based stress reduction in correctional facilities.
Entrepreneurship, Management Services and Economic Growth

We set out to model the joint production of entrepreneurs and workers where the former provide both entrepreneurial (strategic) and managerial (coordination, motivation) services whilst management services are shared with individual workers in such a way that output is maximized. The static equilibrium of the model determines the endogenous share of entrepreneurs in the economy at any given moment. The time dynamics of the solution imply that a given growth rate in the quality of entrepreneurial services contributes to productivity growth in proportion to the share of entrepreneurs at the start of the time period and that the improvement in the quality of entrepreneurial services is convergence enhancing. The model predictions are tested with data from OECD countries in the period 1970-2002. We find that improvements in the quality of entrepreneurial services can make a substantial contribution to economic growth by means of more effective management function performance.
Sources of Alliance Partner Trustworthiness: Integrating Calculative and Relational Perspectives

Research on the sources of organizational trustworthiness remains bifurcated. Some scholars have adopted a calculative perspective, stressing the primacy of actors' rational calculations, while others have approached trustworthiness from a relational perspective, focusing on its social underpinnings. We help to reconcile these seemingly disparate views by adopting an integrative approach that allows us to clarify the boundaries of both perspectives. Based on dyadic survey data from 171 strategic alliances, we find that the calculative perspective (represented by contractual safeguards) has higher predictive power when the partner lacks a favorable reputation. In contrast, the relational perspective (represented by organizational culture) predicts trustworthiness more strongly when familiarity with the partner organization is high.
Topological classification of linear endomorphisms

Letf=f+⊕f−⊕f∞⊕f0 be a linear direct sum decomposition of a real endomorphismf∈ End ℝn, where the components correspond respectively to absolute values of eigenvalues |λ|: 0<|λ|<1(f+); |λ|>1(f−); |λ|=0(f∞); and |λ|=1(f0). We conjecture that a complete set of invariants with respect to topological equivalence consists of the dimensions and orientations off+ and off−, together with the linear isomorphy classes off∞ andf0. We prove that this is true in case ℝn contains nof-periodic points of periods 5 or ≧7. The conjecture is also true in case it is true for all periodic rotations. In §9 we make some comments on this unsolved case. The main interest of the paper is in §6 and 7.
A Virulent Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Phage SE2 with a Strong Bacteriolytic Activity of Planktonic and Biofilmed Cells

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of the major food borne pathogens. Utilizing lytic bacteriophages against this pathogen can be a new and effective approach for the prevention of food-contamination and food-borne infection. In this study, we isolated and characterized a Salmonella Enteritidis specific lytic bacteriophage (phage SE2). The bacteriolytic activity of planktonic and biofilmed cells against an antibiotic resistant strain of Salmonella Enteritidis was also evaluated. Phage SE2 revealed an efficient bacteriolytic effect with biofilm dispersing ability and could maintain its virulence even at extreme pH and temperature. It can be a potential biotherapeutic agent against Salmonella Enteritidis.
The efficacy of intensive individual play therapy for chronically ill children.

This study examined the effectiveness of play therapy for children diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Specifically, the intent of the study was to determine the effectiveness of an intensive play therapy intervention in (a) reducing symptoms of anxiety in children with IDDM, (b) reducing the overall behavior difficulties in children with IDDM, (c) increasing healthy adjustment in children with IDDM, (d) increasing diabetic's children's adherence to their diabetic regime, and (e) having an impact on these emotional and behavioral symptoms over time. Analysis of covariance revealed that the children in the experimental group significantly improved their adaptation to their diabetes following intensive play therapy. The results indicate that intensive play therapy may be an effective intervention for children diagnosed with IDDM. Qualitative observations and progress noted in therapy reveal that young children with IDDM have the capability to address and resolve issues of anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues related to their diabetes in play therapy. Preventative approaches such as play therapy for children with IDDM are particularly important for this population, as current behavior patterns and treatment adherence are highly correlated with long-term medical and psychological health.
Shock waves in polycrystalline iron: Plasticity and phase transitions

At a pressure of around 13 GPa iron undergoes a structural phase transition from the bcc to the hexagonal close-packed phase. Atomistic simulations have provided important insights into this transition. However, while experiments in polycrystals show clear evidence that the α-� transition is preceded by plasticity, simulations up to now could not detect any plastic activity occurring before the phase change. Here we study shock waves in polycrystalline Fe using an interatomic potential which incorporates the α-� transition faithfully. Our simulations show that the phase transformation is preceded by dislocation generation at grain boundaries, giving a three-wave profile.The α-� transformationpressureismuchhigherthantheequilibriumtransformationpressurebutdecreases slightly with increasing loading ramp time (decreasing strain rate). The transformed phase is mostly composed of hcp grains with large defect density. Simulated x-ray diffraction displays clear evidence for this hcp phase, with powder-diffraction-type patterns as they would be seen using current experimental setups.
Parasitofauna de rumiantes silvestres de Salamanca: interacción con la ganadería extensiva

1 poster donde se muestran los resultados de su investigacion. -- Poster presentado a las XXX Jornadas Cientificas y IX Jornadas Internacionales de la Sociedad Espanola de Ovinotecnia y Caprinotecnia (SEOC): Patologia animal. En Granada (Espana). 28, 29 y 30 de septiembre y 1 de octubre de 2005
Modeling of physical human–robot interaction

Enhancement of human performance using an intelligent assist device is becoming more common. In order to achieve effective augmentation of human capacity, cooperation between human and robot must be safe and very intuitive. Ensuring such collaboration remains a challenge, especially when admittance control is used. This paper addresses the issues of transparency and human perception coming from vibration in admittance control schemes. Simulation results obtained with our suggested improved model using an admittance controller are presented, then four models using transfer functions are discussed in detail and evaluated as a means of simulating physical human–robot interaction using admittance control. The simulation and experimental results are then compared in order to assess the validity and limitations of the proposed models in the case of a four-degree-of-freedom intelligent assist device designed for large payload.
The Influence of Absolute Mass Loading of Secondary Organic Aerosols on Their Phase State

Absolute secondary organic aerosol (SOA) mass loading (CSOA) is a key parameter in determining partitioning of semi- and intermediate volatility compounds to the particle phase. Its impact on the phase state of SOA, however, has remained largely unexplored. In this study, systematic laboratory chamber measurements were performed to elucidate the influence of CSOA, ranging from 0.2 to 160 µg m−3, on the phase state of SOA formed by ozonolysis of various precursors, including α-pinene, limonene, cis-3-hexenyl acetate (CHA) and cis-3-hexen-1-ol (HXL). A previously established method to estimate SOA bounce factor (BF, a surrogate for particle viscosity) was utilized to infer particle viscosity as a function of CSOA. Results show that under nominally identical conditions, the maximum BF decreases by approximately 30% at higher CSOA, suggesting a more liquid phase state. With the exception of HXL-SOA (which acted as the negative control), the phase state for all studied SOA precursors varied as a function of CSOA. Furthermore, the BF was found to be the maximum when SOA particle distributions reached a geometric mean particle diameter of 50–60 nm. Experimental results indicate that CSOA is an important parameter impacting the phase state of SOA, reinforcing recent findings that extrapolation of experiments not conducted at atmospherically relevant SOA levels may not yield results that are relevant to the natural environment.
The Nutrition Transition and Prevention of Diet-related Diseases in Asia and the Pacifi c

The nutrition transition, currently occurring in Asia and the Pacific, is one facet of a more general demographic, nutritional, epidemiological transition which accompanies development and urbanization. The nutrition transition itself is marked by a shift away from relatively monotonous diets of varying nutritional quality (based on indigenous staple grains or starchy roots, locally grown legumes, other vegetables and fruits, and limited foods of animal origin) toward more varied diets that include more preprocessed food, more foods of animal origin, more added sugar and fat, and often more alcohol. This shift is accompanied by reduced physical activity in work and leisure, leading to a rapid increase in overweight and obesity. Consequently, there is an epidemiological transition from endemic deficiency and infectious diseases (for which poor nutrition is a risk factor), toward diet-related chronic diseases, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), diabetes , obesity, hypertension, stroke, and certain cancers. Twenty-four Asian countries were grouped by per capita gross national product (GNP) into lower low-(13), upper low-(4), middle-(4), and high-(3) income groups. An additional group was defined for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Pacific. Case studies of key diet-related chronic diseases were undertaken for the People's Republic of China (PRC) and for Sri Lanka. The adult populations of rapidly developing countries have dietary and activity patterns vastly different to those when they were young. Many of these adults faced fetal and early childhood insults related to inadequate nutrition. A so-called fetal programming hypothesis is particularly applicable in the Asian countries and Pacific SIDS. Low-income countries in South and Southeast Asia still have high levels of low birth-weight (LBW) and stunting. Related public health problems will continue well into the future. More research is needed on effects of fetal programming, LBW, and stunting in Asia and the Pacific. Country-level food disappearance data were used to examine diet changes in the five country groups. These confirmed the broad patterns discussed above, although with some important variations. Intake of dairy products was lower in the high-income group, and higher in the lower low-income group. In the Republic of Korea, the largest high-income country, traditional diets are still widely consumed and contain few dairy products. In India, the largest lower low-income country, there is high consumption of dairy products. In general, food disappearance data indicated increased consumption of vegetables and fruits, though household data in the PRC and Sri Lanka do not appear to support …
Ameliorative Effect of Palm Oil Tocotrienol Rich Fraction on Brain Oxidative Stress in Fenitrothion-administered Rats (Kesan Pemulihan Pecahan Kaya Tokotrienol Minyak Kelapa Sawit terhadap Tekanan Oksidatif Otak Tikus Diadministrasi Fenitrotion)

Fenitrothion (FNT) usage has received much attention for its potential to promote free radicals generation and interfere with antioxidant defense system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of palm oil tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) supplementation on oxidative stress and histological changes in rat brain induced by FNT. A total of 32 male Sprague Dawley rats divided into four groups: control group which received corn oil; TRF group was received palm oil TRF (200 mg/kg bw); FNT group administered with FNT (20 mg/kg bw) and TRF+FNT group pretreated with palm oil TRF (200 mg/kg bw) 30 min prior to administration of FNT (20 mg/kg bw). FNT and TRF were dissolved in corn oil and all supplementations were given by oral gavage once daily for 28 days. After four weeks of supplementation, TRF+FNT rats had significantly lower malondialdehyde ( MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity but higher reduced glutathione (GSH) level and total protein level compared to FNT rats (p<0.05). However, protein carbonyl (PC) level was insignificantly lower for TRF+FNT group compared to FNT group. In conclusion, this study suggested that palm oil TRF was effective in preventing brain damage in rats.
Cytoprotectant and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Olive Oil on Cadmium Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice

Background: Cadmium is a heavy metal having toxic effects on most organ systems of the body. Objectives: We aim to investigate the postulated protective properties of olive oil in Cadmium-induced renal toxicity in mice by utilizing standard biomarkers of renal toxicity, oxidative stress and histopathological characterization. Materials and Methods: Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups of 10 mice each. Group 1 served as control group, group 2 was given Extra-virgin olive oil orally, group 3 was given Cadmium chloride and group 4 was given Cadmium chloride with Extra-virgin olive oil. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical analysis histopathology of kidney was done. Results: The present study depicted that blood urea, serum creatinine and the antioxidant markers (Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase and Catalase) levels were significantly increased in group 3 compared to group 1 and 2. After administration of Extra-virgin olive oil with Cadmium in group 4, the levels of those markers significantly improved. Histopathology of the renal tissue showed severe damage of glomeruli, severely congested blood vessels and marked dilatation of Bowman’s capsule in group 3 with improvements of these changes in group 4. Conclusion: This study suggests that Extra-virgin olive oil can be used as a cost effective safe anti-oxidative agent in the prevention of Cadmium toxicity.
Effects of experimental nitrogen deposition on peatland carbon pools and fluxes: a modelling analysis

Abstract. Nitrogen (N) pollution of peatlands alters their carbon (C) balances, yet long-term effects and controls are poorly understood. We applied the model PEATBOG to explore impacts of long-term nitrogen (N) fertilization on C cycling in an ombrotrophic bog. Simulations of summer gross ecosystem production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (ER) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) were evaluated against 8 years of observations and extrapolated for 80 years to identify potential effects of N fertilization and factors influencing model behaviour. The model successfully simulated moss decline and raised GEP, ER and NEE on fertilized plots. GEP was systematically overestimated in the model compared to the field data due to factors that can be related to differences in vegetation distribution (e.g. shrubs vs. graminoid vegetation) and to high tolerance of vascular plants to N deposition in the model. Model performance regarding the 8-year response of GEP and NEE to N input was improved by introducing an N content threshold shifting the response of photosynthetic capacity (GEPmax) to N content in shrubs and graminoids from positive to negative at high N contents. Such changes also eliminated the competitive advantages of vascular species and led to resilience of mosses in the long-term. Regardless of the large changes of C fluxes over the short-term, the simulated GEP, ER and NEE after 80 years depended on whether a graminoid- or shrub-dominated system evolved. When the peatland remained shrub–Sphagnum-dominated, it shifted to a C source after only 10 years of fertilization at 6.4 g N m−2 yr−1, whereas this was not the case when it became graminoid-dominated. The modelling results thus highlight the importance of ecosystem adaptation and reaction of plant functional types to N deposition, when predicting the future C balance of N-polluted cool temperate bogs.
Long-time behavior of granular gases with impact-velocity dependent coe & cient of restitution

A gas of particles which collide inelastically if their impact velocity exceeds a certain value is investigated. In di4erence to common granular gases, cluster formation occurs only as a transient phenomenon. We calculate the decay of temperature due to inelastic collisions. In spite of the drastically reduced dissipation at low temperature the temperature surprisingly converges to zero. c © 2003 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. PACS: 45:50:− j; 45:70:− n; 45.70. Qj
Improved Designs and Analyses of Safety and Efficacy in Immuno-Oncology

Immuno-oncology has emerged as a new prominence in oncology. Common immunotherapy approaches include cancer vaccine, effector cell therapy and T-cell stimulating antibodies. Checkpoint inhibitors such as CTLA-4 and PD-1 antagonists have shown promising results in multiple indications in solid tumors and hematology. However, the mechanisms of action of these novel drugs pose unique statistical challenges in the accurate evaluation of clinical safety and efficacy, including lateonset toxicity, dose optimization, evaluation of combination agents, pseudoprogression, delayed and lasting clinical activity. Traditional statistical methods may not be most accurate or efficient. There is high unmet need to develop the most suitable statistical methodologies to efficiently develop cancer immunotherapies. In this paper, we summarize these issues and discuss alternative methods to meet the challenges in the clinical development of these novel agents for both safety and efficacy endpoints. For safety evaluation, we propose using the time-to-event model-based design to handle late toxicity, a simple three-step procedure for dose optimization, and flexible rule-based or model-based designs for combination agents. For efficacy evaluation, we propose alternative endpoints/designs/tests including optimal designs for time-specific probability endpoint, restricted mean survival time, generalized pairwise comparison, immune-related response criteria and weighted log-rank test. Benefits and limitations of these methods are considered and some recommendations are proposed for applied researchers to implement these methods in clinical practice.
Relation between the sedimentary organic record and the climatic oscilations in the Holocene attested by palynofacies and organic geochemical analyses from a pond of altitude in southern Brazil

This paper presents the quantitative and qualitative results obtained from palynofacies and geochemistry analyses carried out on a core covering approximately 8000 years of sedimentation of a pond of altitude located at the mining district of Ametista do Sul, southernmost Brazil. The main objective of this paper is to consider the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental significance of these analyses. The hydrological isolation renders this pond climatically sensitive to variations in pluviometric regime and this enabled infer rainfall events during the early Holocene, which was responsible for the beginning of the processes of water accumulation in the gossan and the sedimentation of the pond. Changes in the pattern of moisture over the time become the drier environment, resulting in the intermittent pattern of water depth that currently exists at the site. The fluctuations in water depth are inferred from the frequency of Botryococcus and other algae, which tend to decrease progressively toward the top where the autochthonous elements are replaced by parautochthonous and allochthonous elements. Pseudoschizaea, in turn, appears to act as a biological marker of these transitional intervals. The present results are of great importance for understanding the extent of climate change and its environmental impacts at regional and global levels.
Incentive Pay and Systemic Risk

We show that, in the presence of correlated investment opportunities across firms, risk sharing between firm shareholders and firm managers leads to compensation contracts that include relative performance evaluation. These contracts bias investment choices toward correlated investment opportunities, and thus create systemic risk. Furthermore, we show that leverage amplifies all such effects. In the context of the banking industry, we analyze recent policy recommendations for firm managerial pay and show how shareholders optimally undo the policies’ intended effects.Received October 31, 2017; editorial decision August 21, 2018 by Editor Wei Jiang. Authors have furnished an Internet Appendix, which is available on the Oxford University Press Web site next to the link to the final published paper online.
Geochemistry of Interstitial Gases in Sedimentary Deposits of the Gulf of California, Deep Sea Drilling Project Leg 64

We analyzed interstitial gases from holes at Sites 474, 477, 478, 479, and 481 in the Gulf of California, using gas chromatography and stable isotope mass spectrometry to evaluate their composition in terms of biogenic and thermogenic sources. The hydrocarbon gas (C1-C5) concentrations were comparable to the shipboard data, and no olefins could be detected. The δC data for the CH4 confirmed the effects of thermal stress on the sedimentary organic matter, because the values were typically biogenic near the surface and became more depleted in C versus depth in holes at Sites 474, 478, and 481. The CH4 at Site 477 was the heaviest, and in Hole 479 it did not show a dominant hightemperature component. The CO2 at depth in most holes was mostly thermogenic and derived from carbonates. The low concentrations of C2-C5 hydrocarbons in the headspace gas of canned sediments precluded a stable carbon-isotope analysis of their genetic origin.