Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"You've got to walk before you run": positive evaluations of a walking program as part of a gender-sensitized, weight-management program delivered to men through professional football clubs.

OBJECTIVE To explore men's views of a pedometer-based walking program, part of a weight-management intervention delivered through Scottish Premier League football clubs, and the congruence or challenge this poses to masculine identities. METHODS Semistructured telephone interviews with a sample of participants in a gender-sensitized, group weight-management program. Interviewing continued until data saturation was reached (n = 29). RESULTS All men were positive about the context, style of delivery, and content of the broader intervention. These things encouraged men to increase their physical activity (and adopt other behavioral changes) that they may not otherwise have found appealing. The success and acceptability of the walking program resided in three interrelated factors: (a) the utility of pedometers as a technology for motivation, self-monitoring and surveillance, and target setting; (b) the speed with which fitness was regained and weight reduced (enabling men to begin to do more desired forms of physical activity, and so regain visceral, experiential, and pragmatic masculine capital); and (c) bolstering their masculine identities through the receipt of the program in a valued, masculinised context. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that men will enthusiastically embrace a graduated walking program when the presentation is gender sensitive in context, content, and delivery. Pedometers were viewed as a valuable, reliable technological aid which motivated men and empowered them in self-monitoring of progress toward self-defined goals. Many men experienced the walking program as a means of regaining fitness, thereby enabling them to also regain valued masculine identities and activities, and a step toward regaining a more acceptable masculine body.
Leadership in Startups: A Penniless Powerless Approach

Startups. Why are the odds of surviving the initial stages so low? While the internet revolution has made it easier to start up, for example by democratizing investments through crowdfunding, the rate of success is still daunting. Why? Ultimately, the world is still being built by humans. That means a group effort is required. To realize this, leadership is an undeniably crucial element. Yet, not a great deal of research has been dedicated to studying leadership in startups, especially how they enlist and retain people (labour), in the early prefunding stage, when money and power are limited. The aim of this thesis is to build a rich holistic picture of how entrepreneurial leaders do this, without the use of financial means or hierarchical power. This is a collective case study of 20 entrepreneurial leaders at the startup incubator MINC in Malmo, Sweden. Methodology is based on in-depth, face to face, one on one, qualitative interviews. The findings reveal that entrepreneurial leaders use a series of psychological tools and techniques, which have been arranged into a practical framework aimed at accelerating the learning of aspiring entrepreneurs. (Less)
Embryo implantation after biopsy of one or two cells from cleavage‐stage embryos with a view to preimplantation genetic diagnosis

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can be offered as an alternative to prenatal diagnosis (PND) to couples at risk of having a child with a genetic disease. The affected embryos are detected before implantation by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) for sexing (X‐linked diseases) and chromosomal disorders (numerical and structural) or by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for monogenic disorders (including some X‐linked diseases). The accuracy and reliability of the diagnosis is increased by analysing two blastomeres of the embryo. However, the removal of two blastomeres might have an effect on the implantation capacity of the embryo. We have evaluated the implantation of embryos after the removal of one, two or three cells in 188 PGD cycles where a transfer was done. The patients were divided into five groups: a first group which received only embryos from which one cell had been removed, a second group which received only embryos from which two cells had been removed, a third group which received a mixture of embryos from which one and two cells had been taken, a fourth group where two and three cells had been removed, and a fifth group where three cells had been removed. The overall ongoing pregnancy rate per transfer was 26.1%, the overall implantation rate per transfer was 15.2% and the overall birth rate was 14.2%. Although pregnancy rates between the groups cannot be compared because the second group (two cells removed) contains more rapidly developing and therefore ‘better quality’ embryos, an ongoing pregnancy rate of 29.1% and an implantation rate of 18.6% per transferred embryo in this group is acceptable, and we therefore advise analysing two cells from a ≥7‐cell stage embryo in order to render the diagnosis more accurate and reliable. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute Day Hospitalization as an Alternative to Inpatient Treatment

Objective: This paper describes the administrative process by which the Ottawa General Hospital (OGH) closed 6 beds and used the staff and space resources thus released to set up an acute day hospital (ADH) for the treatment of 8 acutely ill psychiatric patients. Outcome data are presented on the first 160 patients admitted to the ADH. Methods: Demographic and clinical information including diagnostic (DSM-III-R; Global Assessment of Functioning [GAF]) and questionnaire data (Symptom Checklist-90 Revised [SCL-90R]; Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]; patient satisfaction) were obtained from 160 ADH patients at admission and discharge. Forty-two of these patients provided follow-up data 3 to 6 months postdischarge. The outcome of ADH patients was compared with that of a retrospectively obtained random sample (n = 100) of inpatients on selected diagnostic and demographic variables. Results: On clinician-rated and self-report clinical scales, ADH patients showed significant clinical improvement reflected in higher GAF scores and less psychological distress, depression, and anxiety at discharge relative to admission. There were no significant group differences in outcome indices except for shorter length of stay in the ADH group compared with inpatients. The ADH group rated the program highly in help received and quality of service. Short-term follow-up showed that gains made during treatment were maintained 3 to 6 months later. Conclusions: These results show that a time-limited day hospital program is clinically effective for acutely ill psychiatric patients and leads to a more efficient use of inpatient resources. We believe that partial hospitalization for the treatment of acute psychiatric disorders may have wide application in psychiatric hospital practice.
An Empirical Approach to Marketing Innovation in Small and Medium Retailers: An Application to the Spanish Sector

Although numerous studies explore innovation, most of them focus on technological innovations. It is currently difficult to focus exclusively on products and processes when discussing innovation because new ideas can transform any part of an organization’s value chain. Indeed, marketing innovation is essential for small and medium firms and its study is extremely important given the current lack of empirical evidence. Furthermore, the retail sector in Spain plays a significant role in the country’s economy due to its contribution to gross domestic product and employment and to its role in the growth of cities and regions. In this context, the present study analyzes the determinants of marketing innovation practices of small and medium retailers and the relationships among the four types of innovation (product, process, organizational and marketing) to improve our understanding of marketing innovations in the retail sector. This study uses secondary data on innovation activity for Spanish companies in the years 2010-2012. Logistic regression models are estimated, and the results show that the introduction of new marketing methods has a positive impact on the propensity to engage in all other types of innovation (product, process and organizational). Furthermore, all of these methods positively impact the propensity to introduce marketing innovations. This study concludes with insights that can help managers to direct innovation processes in their companies and assist public administrators in the promotion of marketing innovations among small and medium retailers.
Whole exome sequencing identifies a splicing mutation in NSUN2 as a cause of a Dubowitz-like syndrome

Background Dubowitz syndrome (DS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the constellation of mild microcephaly, growth and mental retardation, eczema and peculiar facies. Over 140 cases have been reported, but the genetic basis is not understood. Methods We enrolled a multiplex consanguineous family from the United Arab Emirates with many of the key clinical features of DS as reported in previous series. The family was analyzed by whole exome sequencing. RNA splicing was evaluated with reverse-transcriptase PCR, immunostaining and western blotting was performed with specific antibodies, and site-specific cytosine-5-methylation was studied with bisulfite sequencing. Results We identified a homozygous splice mutation in the NSUN2 gene, encoding a conserved RNA methyltransferase. The mutation abolished the canonical splice acceptor site of exon 6, leading to use of a cryptic splice donor within an AluY and subsequent mRNA instability. Patient cells lacked NSUN2 protein and there was resultant loss of site-specific 5-cytosine methylation of the tRNA(Asp GTC) at C47 and C48, known NSUN2 targets. Conclusion Our findings establish NSUN2 as the first causal gene with relationship to the DS spectrum phenotype. NSUN2 has been implicated in Myc-induced cell proliferation and mitotic spindle stability, which might help explain the varied clinical presentation in DS that can include chromosomal instability and immunological defects.
L‐Fucose Is a Potent Inhibitor of myo‐Inositol Transport and Metabolism in Cultured Neuroblastoma Cells

Abstract: It has been proposed that abnormal myo‐inositol metabolism may be a factor in the development of diabetic complications. Studies with animal models of diabetes and cultured cells have suggested that hyperglycemia by an unknown mechanism may alter myo‐inositol metabolism and content. Recently, we have shown that L‐fucose, a 6‐deoxy sugar whose content has been reported to be increased in diabetes, is a potent inhibitor of myo‐inositol transport. To examine the effect of L‐fucose on myo‐inositol metabolism, neuroblastoma cells were cultured in medium supplemented with L‐fucose. L‐Fucose is a competitive inhibitor of Na+‐dependent, high‐affinity myo‐inositol transport. The Ki for inhibition of myo‐inositol transport by L‐fucose is about 3 mM. L‐Fucose is taken up and accumulates in neuroblastoma cells. The uptake of L‐fucose is inhibited by Na+ depletion, D‐glucose, glucose analogues, phloridzin, and cytochalasin B. In contrast, neither myo‐inositol nor L‐glucose inhibits L‐fucose uptake. Chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to 1–30 mM L‐fucose causes a decrease in myo‐inositol accumulation and incorporation into inositol phospholipids, intracellular free myo‐inositol content, and phosphatidylinositol levels. Na+,K+‐ATPase transport activity is decreased by about 15% by acute or chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to L‐fucose. Similar defects occur when neuroblastoma cells are exposed chronically to 30 mM glucose. Cell myo‐inositol metabolism and Na+/K+‐pump activity are maintained when 250 μM myo‐inositol is added to the L‐fucose‐supplemented medium. Unlike the effect of chronic exposure of neuroblastoma cells to medium containing 30 mM glucose, the resting membrane potential of neuroblastoma cells is not altered by chronic exposure of the cells to 30 mM L‐fucose. The effect of L‐fucose on cultured neuroblastoma cell properties occurs at concentrations of L‐fucose which may exist in the diabetic milieu. These data suggest that increased concentrations of L‐fucose may have a role in myo‐inositol‐related defects in mammalian cells.
Factorial validation of a French short‐form of the Working Alliance Inventory

Evaluation of the therapeutic alliance is crucial for understanding the therapeutic process and its results. However, few instruments are available in French. This article aims to validate a French short form of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI). Unlike other questionnaires, the WAI is the most widely used in psychotherapy research as well as in social psychiatry. Confirmatory factor analyses were carried out on a sample of 150 client‐case manager dyads in order to determine the validity of this short‐form instrument. The results of these confirmatory factor analyses allowed us to answer different authors' questions (Horvath and Greenberg, 1989; Tracey and Kokotovic, 1989) regarding the factorial structure of the WAI. The results also indicated a unidimensional solution as being the most valid for the two samples. We suggest that, in future studies, only one score be considered for the evaluation of the WAI. We also suggest modifying two statements in the English and French versions in order to render a faithful comparison between the therapist and client versions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of bromocriptine on cardiovascular regulation in healthy humans.

Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist with central nervous system actions, may reduce sympathetic nervous system activity. We tested this hypothesis by measuring arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, and forearm blood flow before and after unloading the arterial baroreceptors with sodium nitroprusside (0.5 to 1.5 mcg/kg per minute IV), before and after unloading the cardiopulmonary baroreceptors with incremental lower body negative pressure (0 to -15 mm Hg), and before and after immersion of the hand in ice-cold water for 2 minutes (cold pressor test). After obtaining basal responses to provocative maneuvers, we gave 20 healthy subjects either 5 mg oral bromocriptine (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) in a randomized, double-blind fashion. Bromocriptine did not affect resting mean arterial pressure, heart rate, or forearm blood flow. Bromocriptine decreased resting central venous pressure by 1.2 mm Hg (P < .05) and tended to increase total integrated muscle sympathetic nerve activity (from 151 +/- 44 to 212 +/- 82 U/min, P = NS). The reflex increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity to nitroprusside infusion and lower body negative pressure were unchanged by bromocriptine; however, vascular responsiveness to both maneuvers was impaired after bromocriptine administration compared with control. Without bromocriptine, the reflex increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity after nitroprusside-induced hypotension maintained forearm blood flow at a constant level, whereas with bromocriptine the forearm blood flow increased from 1.9 +/- 0.3 to 2.8 +/- 0.6 mL/min per 100 mL (P < .05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adoption of Agricultural E-Marketing: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

ABSTRACT In this study, the authors used the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a base model to determine how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predict the intention of agricultural services professionals to adopt e-marketing of agricultural commodities. A convenient sample of 146 professionals from the public (n = 61) and private sectors (n = 85) were surveyed. Overall, results showed that the TPB model explained 94% and 71% of the variation in behavioral intent for public professionals and private professionals, respectively, with the remaining 6% and 29% relating to the other factors. Results for the public professionals showed that subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a more important effect on adoption and that the effect of attitude was very small among professionals in private sector. Both groups selected the information services model as an appropriate in agricultural electronic marketing for local farmers so that agricultural services firms can offer only information services of farmers’ products without a direct role in buying and selling. Based on the results, it is recommended that to accelerate the adoption of e-marketing, its user-friendliness and advantages should be demonstrated to users via different platforms such as video presentations and workshops. In addition, the technology should be made available to potential users, and they should be encouraged and motivated to use it to ensure efficiency in the processing of transactions.
Financial Market Imperfections and the Pricing Decision of Firms: Theory and Evidence

This paper investigates how financial market imperfections and nominal rigidities interact. Based on new firm-level evidence for Germany, we document that financially constrained firms adjust prices more often than their unconstrained counterparts. In particular, financially constrained firms do not only increase prices, but also decrease prices more often. We show that these empirical patterns are consistent with a partial equilibrium menu-cost model with financial frictions. Our results suggest that tighter financial constraints are associated with higher nominal rigidities, higher prices and lower output. Furthermore, financial recessions may induce very different dynamics than normal recessions if the relative size of unexpected financial shocks is large relative to aggregate price shocks.
Promoting quality breast cancer care: Psychosocial distress screening

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing psychosocial distress screening in a breast center of a comprehensive cancer center, using a model of structure (personnel, resources), process (screening), and outcome (number of patients screened, number referred). Methods: The first step in the project was to establish administrative support, educate and engage breast center staff, identify stakeholders and persons with expertise in the conduct of evidence based initiatives. A two-phase implementation approach was agreed upon with Phase I being screening of new patients in surgical oncology and Phase II being screening women in medical oncology. Results: A total of 173 patients were screened. The new patients screened in surgical oncology reported higher average distress scores compared to patients in medical oncology (5.7 vs. 4.0). However, a greater number of patients in medical oncology reported scores >4 compared to the new patients screened in surgery (54% vs. 35%). Psychological distress was the most commonly reported distress for patients in surgery. In contrast, 60% of scores >4 in medical oncology were symptom related, managed by the nurse or physician. Significance of results: Nurse led implementation of psychosocial distress screening is feasible, addressing this important quality indicator of patient-centered care.
Determinants of progression in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive form of lung disease with a median survival of less than 5 yr. To address the progressive nature of this disease process, we investigated the determinants of decrements in lung function in patients with IPF. We prospectively evaluated 39 subjects with IPF. Our study subjects were followed for an average of 2 yr (range, 49 to 1,883 days) and lung function was measured on at least two separate occasions (mean = 9.1 separate tests) during the follow-up period. Since IPF is characterized by reduced lung volume and abnormal gas exchange, our analysis focused on the determinants of total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) during the period of observation. Although, on average, there was a 5.3% increase in the TLC and a 9.8% increase in DLCO between the first and last measure of lung function, 25% of the study population experienced a decline in the TLC and 28% of the study population experienced a decline in the DLCO. Decrements in TLC were independently associated with severe dyspnea (p = 0.01) and treatment with cyclophosphamide (p = 0.03). Decrements in DLCO were significantly and independently associated with more pack-years of cigarette smoking (p = 0.02), moderate (p = 0.03) or severe (p = 0.02) dyspnea, and treatment with cyclophosphamide (p = 0.0002). These findings indicate that several clinical characteristics are independently associated with subsequent declines in TLC and DLCO in patients with IPF. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A review on the extensive skin benefits of mineral oil

This review was initially prepared in 2011 before Professor Johann Wiechers tragically passed away. It has been updated and is being published in his memory. It discusses the importance of mineral oil and its benefits to skin. Its source, structure, properties and efficacy are discussed. Mineral oil has been shown to improve skin softness and barrier function better than some other emollients using the gas‐bearing dynamometer and standard water vapour transmission testing as well as in vivo studies showing its effects on suppressing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It has also been subjected to the rigour of the newer in vivo confocal microscopic measurements now used for testing the performance of moisturizers by following the swelling characteristics of the stratum corneum and been found favourable compared with many vegetable oils. Its introduction as a cosmetic oil was in the late 1800s, and still today, it is used as one of the main components of moisturizers, a true testament to its cost to efficacy window. Naturally, it has physical effects on the stratum corneum, but it is expected that these will translate into biological effects simply through its mechanism of hydrating and occluding the stratum corneum from which many benefits are derived.
Snow Cover Mapping for Complex Mountainous Forested Environments Based on a Multi-Index Technique

Seasonal snow cover is a critical component of the energy and water budgets of mountainous watersheds. Capturing the snow cover in complex environments is crucial for monitoring and understanding the temporal and spatial effects of climate change on alpine snow cover. The normalized difference snow index (NDSI) can be used to effectively and accurately estimate snow cover information from satellite images. However, the NDSI has limited utility for estimating the snow cover in heavily forested areas and relating this information to snowmelt-based runoff. In this study, a new algorithm based on a multi-index technique is proposed. The technique combines the NDSI, the normalized difference forest snow index, and the normalized difference vegetation index, and decision rules are established to increase the accuracy of snow mapping in forested areas. The new algorithm based on a multi-index technique is tested in the mountainous forested areas of North Xinjiang, China. In a winter image with full snow and a spring image with patchy snow, most of the forest snow, which is underestimated by the NDSI, is recognized by the multi-index technique. The accuracy of snow detection in forested areas is more than 90%. Additionally, in an experiment using a summer image without snow in forested areas no commission errors were detected. The snow detection algorithm based on a multi-index technique uses a simple set of decision rules for snow and can be run automatically without a priori knowledge of the surface characteristics.