Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Telomerase Activity in Women With Breast Cancer (BC)

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of recurrence among breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, the effects of MBSR (BC) on telomere length (TL) and telomerase activity (TA), known markers of cellular aging, psychological stress, and disease risk, are not known. This randomized, wait-listed, controlled study, nested within a larger trial, investigated the effects of MBSR (BC) on TL and TA. BC patients (142) with Stages 0–III cancer who had completed adjuvant treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy at least 2 weeks prior to enrollment and within 2 years of completion of treatment with lumpectomy and/or mastectomy were randomly assigned to either a 6-week MBSR for BC program or a usual care. Assessments of TA and TL were obtained along with psychological measurements at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after completing the MBSR(BC) program. The mean age of 142 participants was 55.3 years; 72% were non-Hispanic White; 78% had Stage I or II cancer; and 36% received both chemotherapy and radiation. In analyses adjusted for baseline TA and psychological status, TA increased steadily over 12 weeks in the MBSR(BC) group (approximately 17%) compared to essentially no increase in the control group (approximately 3%, p < .01). In contrast, no between-group difference was observed for TL (p = .92). These results provide preliminary evidence that MBSR(BC) increases TA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from BC patients and have implications for understanding how MBSR(BC) may extend cell longevity at the cellular level.
Genetic Testing in a Population-Based Sample of Breast and Ovarian Cancer Survivors from the REACH Randomized Trial: Cost Barriers and Moderators of Counseling Mode

Background: This study evaluates predictors of BRCA1/2 testing among breast and ovarian cancer survivors who received genetic counseling as part of a randomized trial and evaluates moderators of counseling mode on testing uptake. Methods: Predictors of BRCA1/2 testing within one year postcounseling were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression in a population-based sample of breast and ovarian cancer survivors at increased hereditary risk randomly assigned to in-person counseling (IPC; n = 379) versus telephone counseling (TC; n = 402). Variables that moderated the association between counseling mode and testing were identified by subgroup analysis. Results: Testing uptake was associated with higher perceived comparative mutation risk [OR = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–1.57] in the adjusted analysis. Those without cost barriers had higher testing uptake (OR = 18.73; 95% CI, 7.09–49.46). Psychologic distress and perceived comparative mutation risk moderated the effect of counseling and testing. Uptake between IPC versus TC did not differ at low levels of distress and risk, but differed at high distress (26.3% TC vs. 44.3% IPC) and high perceived comparative risk (33.9% TC vs. 50.5% IPC). Conclusions: Cost concerns are a strong determinant of testing. Differences in testing uptake by counseling mode may depend on precounseling distress and risk perceptions. Impact: Cost concerns may contribute to low testing in population-based samples of at-risk cancer survivors. Precounseling psychosocial characteristics should be considered when offering in-person versus telephone counseling. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(12); 1772–80. ©2017 AACR.
MRI of Tumor-Associated Macrophages with Clinically Applicable Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

Purpose: The presence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in breast cancer correlates strongly with poor outcome. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinically applicable, noninvasive diagnostic assay for selective targeting and visualization of TAMs in breast cancer, based on magnetic resonanceI and clinically applicable iron oxide nanoparticles. Experimental Design: F4/80-negative mammary carcinoma cells and F4/80-positive TAMs were incubated with iron oxide nanoparticles and were compared with respect to magnetic resonance signal changes and iron uptake. MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice harboring mammary carcinomas underwent nanoparticle-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) up to 1 hour and 24 hours after injection. The tumor enhancement on MRIs was correlated with the presence and location of TAMs and nanoparticles by confocal microscopy. Results:In vitro studies revealed that iron oxide nanoparticles are preferentially phagocytosed by TAMs but not by malignant tumor cells. In vivo, all tumors showed an initial contrast agent perfusion on immediate postcontrast MRIs with gradual transendothelial leakage into the tumor interstitium. Twenty-four hours after injection, all tumors showed a persistent signal decline on MRIs. TAM depletion via αCSF1 monoclonal antibodies led to significant inhibition of tumor nanoparticle enhancement. Detection of iron using 3,3′-diaminobenzidine-enhanced Prussian Blue staining, combined with immunodetection of CD68, localized iron oxide nanoparticles to TAMs, showing that the signal effects on delayed MRIs were largely due to TAM-mediated uptake of contrast agent. Conclusion: These data indicate that tumor enhancement with clinically applicable iron oxide nanoparticles may serve as a new biomarker for long-term prognosis, related treatment decisions, and the evaluation of new immune-targeted therapies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(17); 5695–704. ©2011 AACR.
Converging in Divergent Ways

This paper focuses on intra-industry trade (IIT) between Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European (CESEE) countries and the EU-15. It assesses the determinants of intra-industry trade by combining a detailed product-level (HS-6) trade-flow database with country-level structural, monetary and institutional variables. Estimates are obtained with System-GMM and dynamic fractional response models. Our results suggest that structural factors driving IIT differ in the region, notably perceptions of corruption and the distance in the stock of physical capital from the EU-15. On the other hand, nominal variables such as the competitiveness of corporate taxation and the flexibility of exchange rate regimes contribute to the increase in intra-industry trade in the whole region.
Screening for Atrial Fibrillation – A Cross-Sectional Survey of Healthcare Professionals in Primary Care

Introduction Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) in primary care has been recommended; however, the views of healthcare professionals (HCPs) are not known. This study aimed to determine the opinions of HCP about the feasibility of implementing screening within a primary care setting. Methods A cross-sectional mixed methods census survey of 418 HCPs from 59 inner-city practices (Nottingham, UK) was conducted between October-December 2014. Postal and web-surveys ascertained data on existing methods, knowledge, skills, attitudes, barriers and facilitators to AF screening using Likert scale and open-ended questions. Responses, categorized according to HCP group, were summarized using proportions, adjusting for clustering by practice, with 95% C.Is and free-text responses using thematic analysis. Results At least one General Practitioner (GP) responded from 48 (81%) practices. There were 212/418 (51%) respondents; 118/229 GPs, 67/129 nurses [50 practice nurses; 17 Nurse Practitioners (NPs)], 27/60 healthcare assistants (HCAs). 39/48 (81%) practices had an ECG machine and diagnosed AF in-house. Non-GP HCPs reported having less knowledge about ECG interpretation, diagnosing and treating AF than GPs. A greater proportion of non-GP HCPs reported they would benefit from ECG training specifically for AF diagnosis than GPs [proportion (95% CI) GPs: 11.9% (6.8–20.0); HCAs: 37.0% (21.7–55.5); nurses: 44.0% (30.0–59.0); NPs 41.2% (21.9–63.7)]. Barriers included time, workload and capacity to undertake screening activities, although training to diagnose and manage AF was a required facilitator. Conclusion Inner-city general practices were found to have adequate access to resources for AF screening. There is enthusiasm by non-GP HCPs to up-skill in the diagnosis and management of AF and they may have a role in future AF screening. However, organisational barriers, such as lack of time, staff and capacity, should be overcome for AF screening to be feasibly implemented within primary care.
An Objective Methodology for Task Analysis and Workload Assessment in Anesthesia Providers

BackgroundAdministering anesthesia is a complex task in which either human or equipment failure can have disastrous consequences. An improved understanding of the nature of the anesthesiologist's job could provide a more rational basis for improvements in provider training as well as the design of anesthesia equipment. The objective of this study was to develop a set of techniques to evaluate anesthesiologist performance and to determine what information could be obtained from performing real-time task assessment and workload analysis tests in the operating room. MethodsThe methodology used included time–motion analysis, secondary task probing, and subjective workload assessment. The time–motion data was subjected to subsequent analysis to generate quantitative measures such as task duration (time spent focused on an individual task) and task density (the number of tasks initiated per minute). The latency of response to a “vigilance light‘’ was used as a secondary task probe. Finally, both the observer and the subjects themselves scored workload at 10–15-min intervals throughout the case. Two groups of anesthesia providers performing general endotracheal anesthesia for simple ambulatory surgical cases (1–4 h duration) were examined using this methodology. In the first group, 3rd-yr anesthesia residents and experienced certified registered nurse anesthetists (n = 11) performed cases under limited supervision by an attending anesthesiologist. In the second group, novice residents in their first 8 weeks of training (n = 11) performed similar cases under nearly constant attending supervision. ResultsThe two groups seemed to manifest different patterns of task behavior, task density, subjective workload, and latency of response to the vigilance task. Response latency to the vigilance task increased at times of increased workload (e.g., during induction of anesthesia). The experienced (less supervised) providers spent significant amounts of time observing the monitors and the surgical field, whereas the novice subjects spent more time conversing with the supervising attending. Despite performing fewer tasks per minute (lower task densities), the novice subjects exhibited longer latencies of response to the vigilance light and increased subjective workload. Novice subjects also had longer task duration values. For example, postintubation, novices focused on their monitors for an average of twice as long as did experienced subjects (13 ± 2 vs. 7 ± 1 s) before moving on to another task. ConclusionsThese techniques permitted an objective description of task characteristics, workload, and vigilance in anesthesia personnel under actual work conditions. This methodology could aid in understanding the factors that affect anesthesiologists' performance and may prove useful in assessing the progress of training.
Direct serological assay for the heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli, using passive immune hemolysis

Sheep erythrocytes sensitized with the heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) of Escherichia coli exhibited passive immune hemolysis (PIH) when exposed to specific antitoxin and complement. Thus, PIH serves as the basis for an in vitro serological assay for LT that is sufficiently specific and sensitive to differentiate LT-positive and LT-negative E. coli isolates. The PIH assay for E. coli LT has been performed with the standard Microtiter system and also by a tube method employing the spectrophotometric determination of hemoglobin release. The spectrophotometric method enhances the sensitivity, accuracy, and objectivity of the PIH assay. The increased sensitivity of the spectrophotometric method also facilitates the identification of LT-positive cultures employing polymyxin "mini-extracts" of whole overnight (18 h) broth cultures of 2.0% Casamino Acid-0.6% yeast extract-salts medium rather than mini-extracts of cells derived from 3.5-h subcultures. Thus, large numbers of E. coli isolates can be individually tested for LT in less than 24 h after broth inoculation by a rapid in vitro assay which requires anti-LT serum as the only specific reagent.
The First Structure of Polarity Suppression Protein, Psu from Enterobacteria Phage P4, Reveals a Novel Fold and a Knotted Dimer*

Background: Phage P4 Psu protein is a capsid decoration protein with unknown structure. Results: The first structure of Psu reveals a novel fold and a knotted dimer. Conclusion: The V-shaped molecular architecture is important for capsid binding. Significance: The structure of Psu will help to design peptide fragments, which can be used as drugs against the bacterial transcription machinery. Psu is a capsid decoration protein of bacteriophage P4 and acts as an antiterminator of Rho-dependent transcription termination in bacteria. So far, no structures have been reported for the Psu protein or its homologues. Here, we report the first structure of Psu solved by the Hg2+ single wavelength anomalous dispersion method, which reveals that Psu exists as a knotted homodimer and is first of its kind in nature. Each monomer of Psu attains a novel fold around a tight coiled-coil motif. CD spectroscopy and the structure of an engineered disulfide-bridged Psu derivative reveal that the protein folds reversibly and reassembles by itself into the knotted dimeric conformation without the requirement of any chaperone. This structure would help to explain the functional properties of the protein and can be used as a template to design a minimal peptide fragment that can be used as a drug against Rho-dependent transcription termination in bacteria.
Magnetic resonance: new approaches to imaging of the musculoskeletal system

Recent technical advances in magnetic resonance imaging are reviewed. Purpose designed musculoskeletal magnetic resonance (MR) systems are now available. A great deal of pulse sequence development has been carried out with ultrashort TE (UTE) imaging, blood oxygenation level detection (BOLD) studies, diffusion weighted and other sequences. Image processing and measurement techniques have improved. In hyaline articular cartilage the deep layer can now be identified. Contrast agents are now being used to study the reduction in proteoglycans in cartilage. Enhancement is seen in tendons, ligaments and menisci and can be used to study perfusion. Signal is detected from cortical bone and periosteum and this can be used to monitor perfusion in serial studies. Muscle metabolism can also be studied. Contrast transport into intervertebral discs can be observed as well as effects attributable to iron deposition.
Effectiveness of Unconventional Monetary Policies in a Low Interest Rate Environment

Have unconventional monetary policies (UMPs) become less effective at stimulating economies in persistently low interest rate environments? This paper examines that question with a time-varying parameter VAR for the United States, the United Kingdom, the euro area and Japan. One advantage of our approach is the ability to measure an economy's evolving interest rate sensitivity during the post-GFC macroeconomy. Another advantage is the ability to capture time variation in the "natural", or steady state, rate of interest, which allows us to separate interest rate movements that are associated with changes in the stance of monetary policy from those that are not.
Object detection on hindered condition by using chain code-based angle detection

This research discusses the object recognition process in a hindered condition with other objects. In hindered condition, the edges of the object do not appear perfectly. This of course makes it difficult for computers to recognize the shape of an object because its area and circumference can not be counted with certainty since it is blocked by another object. In this work, we use a chain code method which the codes of object will be detected in hindered conditions. These codes are used as the basis for recognizing the object in a hindered condition. When conditions are blocked, this code code will still be recognizable due to its scanning process is fixed. In some ambiguous object codes, the system will confirm to the user to ensure the shape of the object which is detected.
The influence of perceived media richness of marketing channels on online channel usage

The purpose of this paper is to identify the differences in the perceived media richness of three marketing channels by different consumer generations as well as to indicate the importance of the perceived media richness of each of channel for the intention of online use at pre-purchase stage. ,The study is based on a sample of 1,103 consumers in Poland, which research sample included three generations: Baby Boomers, X generation and Y generation. Computer-assisted personal interview method was used with a standardised questionnaire; the research sample was determined using a quota-random method, with the quotas referring to age and gender and the nature of the place of residence (provincial town, town/city other than a provincial one, or a village) – the structure of the sample was maintained at the regional level. ,Analysed channels (online, offline, phone) have different perceived media richness. Consumers from different generations can perceive media richness of the same marketing channels in various ways. Perceived media richness of the analysed marketing channels has an impact on the intention to use the channel online. ,First, the fact of blurring differences between consumers generation, particularly X and Y generation. As well the fact that each generation has identified an internal diversity. Second limitation refers to the type of marketing channels included in research. Finally, limitation also applies to spatial extent of the study. The above limitations can also be some directions of future research – taking into account some other marketing channels and verifying the conclusions on other consumer groups. ,General recommendation refers to the need for treating customers in each marketing channel in the same way – immediate response is one of the aspects of this recommended unified customer service in multichannel environment. Online channel communications with customers should be supported by giving consumers more personalised communication via phone, chat and social media. For older consumers, it is recommended to gradually redirect them to an online channel. Information search is a good start for online customer journey, because this channel at the pre-purchase stage is the most useful and least risky for the consumer unfamiliar with online environment. ,Better understanding of the needs of different customers generations and their perception of different marketing channel at the pre-purchase stage. ,Identification of intergenerational differences in the perception of media richness of online, phone and offline channels.
A synthesized data envelopment analysis model and its application in resource efficiency evaluation and dynamic trend analysis

Based on the total factor productivity and the resource efficiency, this paper proposes a synthesized data envelopment analysis (DEA) model by using the DEA approach and the Malmquist index. Furthermore, this model is applied to a comprehensive empirical study of the resource efficiency evaluation in China from 2013 to 2015. By introducing some desirable and undesirable factors, we calculate and analyze the whole resource efficiency, the input redundancy ratio, and the output inefficiency ratio of China from 2013 to 2015 based on the synthesized DEA model. Then, we analyze the dynamic trends of the resource efficiency in 31 provinces of China during these three years by applying the corresponding Malmquist index. After that, some interesting conclusions are derived, which are useful for the government. At last, some practical suggestions about improving the resource efficiency of these provinces are provided.
Multiple Facets of Arabidopsis Seedling Development Require  Indole-3-Butyric Acid–Derived Auxin[W]

Plants synthesize the growth hormone indole-3-acetic acid using a variety of incompletely understood pathways. This work demonstrates that the conversion of indole-3-butyric acid to indole-3-acetic acid contributes to wide-ranging auxin-regulated processes in Arabidopsis seedlings and that shutting off this auxin supply renders seedlings less able to respond to exogenous auxin. Levels of auxin, which regulates both cell division and cell elongation in plant development, are controlled by synthesis, inactivation, transport, and the use of storage forms. However, the specific contributions of various inputs to the active auxin pool are not well understood. One auxin precursor is indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), which undergoes peroxisomal β-oxidation to release free indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). We identified ENOYL-COA HYDRATASE2 (ECH2) as an enzyme required for IBA response. Combining the ech2 mutant with previously identified iba response mutants resulted in enhanced IBA resistance, diverse auxin-related developmental defects, decreased auxin-responsive reporter activity in both untreated and auxin-treated seedlings, and decreased free IAA levels. The decreased auxin levels and responsiveness, along with the associated developmental defects, uncover previously unappreciated roles for IBA-derived IAA during seedling development, establish IBA as an important auxin precursor, and suggest that IBA-to-IAA conversion contributes to the positive feedback that maintains root auxin levels.
A novel reduced switch count multilevel AC/AC converter

Despite all the unique features multilevel converters offer, their high number of required power switches has restricted their implementation to particular applications. To mitigate this problem, a novel multilevel ac/ac converter is proposed in this paper which utilises less number of semiconductor devices in its structure. The proposed converter is achieved by cascading recently introduced reduced switch count ac/ac converter and is comparable in performance to cascaded h-bridge multilevel converters except that it is an ac/ac converter capable of working in regenerative mode. The proposed configuration retains all the features of CHB MLIs such as low output voltage distortion, reduced dv/dt stresses, low distortion input ac current and modular structure. Moreover, compared to conventional CHB converters, the number of switches and related drive circuits are reduced in the proposed converter by 25%. The novel structure is introduced, its generalized carrier based modulation scheme is elaborated and a control method is suggested for it. The validity of operation of the proposed system is verified through simulation.
Two realities of women in northern social work: Privilege and oppression.

This qualitative study describes the experiences of five White female social workers who work with First Nations people in northern British Columbia The concepts of culture, gender, and geography were explored by examining the participants' roles as social workers, thoughts about being a woman in northern British Columbia, and experiences working cross-culturally with First Nations people The research was informed by the critical theory of structural social work and analysis of the interviews was done using thematic analysis The mam implications for social work practice and education include embracing strategies for effective relationship building with First Nations people, and acting as a means or prompt for social workers, educators, and students to reflect on how being oppressed and privileged impacts them both personally and professionally Table of