Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physical and Emotional Experiences of Chemotherapy: a Qualitative Study among Women with Breast Cancer in Southern Thailand

Background: Chemotherapy treatment can increase survival rates among women with breast cancer elsewhere. However, it also has negative impact on women’s general appearance, body image and psychological functioning. This study aimed to describe the experiences of chemotherapy treatment among Thai women with breast cancer in rural communities, sounthern Thailand. Methods: Qualitative approach was employed to gain insights about the experiences of the women. In-depth interviewing and drawing methods were conducted with 20 Thai women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Thematic method was used to analyse the data. Results: Three themes emerged from the findings: I feel so weak: Lack of physical energy; experiencing physical and emotional burdens and managing health and life. Women were traumatized by effects of chemotherapy and suffered severe physical side effects. Most received inadequate professional support from health care providers and had to rely on their own judgment and use local resources to deal with the effects of their treatment and to improve their health and well-being. Conclusions: Chemotherapy brought about traumatic experiences to Thai women with breast cancer. Continual support is needed for the women to reduce the difficulties they might encounter. Support groups should be established for these women when receiving and completing chemotherapy treatment. Our finding suggested that social support programs that meet their need are salient means that could reduce the sufferings of these women. Nurses and other health care professionals in the local community should play their important role to establish such group and make it accessible for all.
Frequency and topography of small cerebrovascular lesions in vascular and in mixed dementia: a post-mortem 7-tesla magnetic resonance imaging study with neuropathological correlates.

Introduction: Mixed dementia (MixD) refers to a combination of definite Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular encephalopathy. The existence of a "pure" type of vascular dementia (VaD) is controversial. There is a need to find magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics allowing the distinction between VaD and MixD. The present post-mortem 7.0-tesla MRI compares the frequency or severity and the topography of the small cerebrovascular lesions in brains of patients with VaD and with MixD. Material and methods: Based on neuropathological criteria, 14 brains were classified as VaD, 24 as MixD and 11 as controls. Three coronal sections of a cerebral hemisphere and a horizontal section of a cerebellar hemisphere underwent T2 and T2* 7.0-tesla MRI examination. The mean values and topographic distribution of white matter changes (WMCs), lacunar infarcts (LIs), cortical microbleeds (CoMBs) and cortical microinfarcts (CoMIs) were determined and compared between the different groups. Results: Compared to the controls, both VaD and MixD brains had significantly more severe WMCs and increased numbers of CoMBs and CoMIs. Lacunar infarcts predominated only in the VaD cases. On mutual comparison of VaD and MixD brains, CoMBs and CoMIs predominated in the frontal lobe and the cerebellum of VaD, while were mainly present in the occipital lobe of MixD. White matter changes predominated in the temporal lobe of MixD cases. Lacunar infarcts were significantly increased in the corona radiata and putamen of VaD patients. Conclusions: The present post-mortem MRI study shows clear differences in the distribution and the types of cerebrovascular lesions on high-field MRI, confirming that VaD and MixD are different diseases.
THE MAINTENANCE OF REPRODUCTIVE ISOLATION IN A MOSAIC HYBRID ZONE BETWEEN THE FIRE‐BELLIED TOADS BOMBINA BOMBINA AND B. VARIEGATA

Abstract. Mosaic hybrid zones arise when ecologically differentiated taxa hybridize across a network of habitat patches. Frequent interbreeding across a small‐scale patchwork can erode species differences that might have been preserved in a clinal hybrid zone. In particular, the rapid breakdown of neutral divergence sets an upper limit to the time for which differences at marker loci can persist. We present here a case study of a mosaic hybrid zone between the fire‐bellied toads Bombina bombina and B. variegata (Anura: Discoglossidae) near Apahida in Romania. In our 20 × 20 km study area, we detected no evidence of a clinal transition but found a strong association between aquatic habitat and mean allele frequencies at four molecular markers. In particular, pure populations of B. bombina in ponds appear to cause massive introgression into the surrounding B. variegata gene pool found in temporary aquatic sites. Nevertheless, the genetic structure of these hybrid populations was remarkably similar to those of a previously studied transect near Pescenica (Croatia), which had both clinal and mosaic features: estimates of heterozygote deficit and linkage disequilibrium in each country are similar. In Apahida, the observed strong linkage disequilibria should stem from an imperfect habitat preference that guides most (but not all) adults into the habitats to which they are adapted. In the absence of a clinal structure, the inferred migration rate between habitats implies that associations between selected loci and neutral markers should break down rapidly. Although plausible selection strengths can maintain differentiation at those loci adapting the toads to either permanent or temporary breeding sites, the divergence at neutral markers must be transient. The hybrid zone may be approaching a state in which the gene pools are homogenized at all but the selected loci, not dissimilar from an early stage of sympatric divergence.
Benefits of Expressing Gratitude

This research was conducted to examine the hypothesis that expressing gratitude to a relationship partner enhances one’s perception of the relationship’s communal strength. In Study 1 (N = 137), a cross-sectional survey, expressing gratitude to a relationship partner was positively associated with the expresser’s perception of the communal strength of the relationship. In Study 2 (N = 218), expressing gratitude predicted increases in the expresser’s perceptions of the communal strength of the relationship across time. In Study 3 (N = 75), participants were randomly assigned to an experimental condition, in which they expressed gratitude to a friend, or to one of three control conditions, in which they thought grateful thoughts about a friend, thought about daily activities, or had positive interactions with a friend. At the end of the study, perceived communal strength was higher among participants in the expression-of-gratitude condition than among those in all three control conditions. We discuss the theoretical and applied implications of these findings and suggest directions for future research.
PFN2 and GAMT as common molecular determinants of axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Background Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2) neuropathy is characterised by a vast clinical and genetic heterogeneity complicating its diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Identification of molecular signatures that are common to multiple CMT2 subtypes can aid in developing therapeutic strategies and measuring disease outcomes. Methods A proteomics-based approach was performed on lymphoblasts from CMT2 patients genetically diagnosed with different gene mutations to identify differentially regulated proteins. The candidate proteins were validated through real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting on lymphoblast samples of patients and controls, motor neurons differentiated from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and sciatic nerves of CMT2 mouse models. Results Proteomic profiling of patient lymphoblasts resulted in the identification of profilin 2 (PFN2) and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) as commonly downregulated proteins in different genotypes compared with healthy controls. This decrease was also observed at the transcriptional level on screening 43 CMT2 patients and 22 controls, respectively. A progressive decrease in PFN2 expression with age was observed in patients, while in healthy controls its expression increased with age. Reduced PFN2 expression was also observed in motor neurons differentiated from CMT2 patient-derived iPSCs and sciatic nerves of CMT2 mice when compared with controls. However, no change in GAMT levels was observed in motor neurons and CMT2 mouse-derived sciatic nerves. Conclusions We unveil PFN2 and GAMT as molecular determinants of CMT2 with possible indications of the role of PFN2 in the pathogenesis and disease progression. This is the first study describing biomarkers that can boost the development of therapeutic strategies targeting a wider spectrum of CMT2 patients.
Limited Feedback Scheme for Device-to-Device Communications in 5G Cellular Networks with Reliability and Cellular Secrecy Outage Constraints

In this paper, we propose a device-to-device (D2D) communication scenario underlaying a cellular network, where both D2D and cellular users (CUs) are discrete power-rate systems with limited feedback from the receivers. It is assumed that there exists an adversary which wants to eavesdrop on the information transmission from the base station to CUs. Since D2D communication shares the same spectrum with cellular network, cross interference must be considered. However, when secrecy capacity is considered, the interference caused by D2D communication can help to improve the secrecy communications by confusing the eavesdroppers. Since both systems share the same spectrum, cross interference must be considered. We formulate the proposed resource allocation into an optimization problem whose objective is to maximize the average transmission rate of D2D pair in the presence of the cellular communications under average transmission power constraint. For the cellular network, we require a minimum average achievable secrecy rate in the absence of D2D communication as well as a maximum secrecy outage probability in the presence of D2D communication which should be satisfied. Due to high complexity convex optimization methods, to solve the proposed optimization problem, we apply particle swarm optimization, which is an evolutionary approach. Moreover, we model and study the error in the feedback channel and the imperfectness of channel distribution information using parametric and nonparametric methods. Finally, the impact of different system parameters on the performance of the proposed scheme is investigated through simulations. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated using numerical results for differentu scenarios.
State of the Art in Large-Scale Soil Moisture Monitoring

Soil moisture is an essential climate variable influencing land-atmosphere interactions, an essential hydrologic variable impacting rainfall-runoff processes, an essential ecological variable regulating net ecosystem exchange, and an essential agricultural variable constraining food security. Large-scale soil moisture monitoring has advanced in recent years, creating opportunities to transform scientific understanding of soil moisture and related processes. These advances are being driven by researchers from a broad range of disciplines, but this complicates collaboration and communication; and, for some applications, the science required to utilize large-scale soil moisture data is poorly developed. In this review, we describe the state of the art in large-scale soil moisture monitoring and identify some critical needs for research to optimize the use of increasingly available soil moisture data. We review representative examples of (i) emerging in situ and proximal sensing techniques, (ii) dedicated soil moisture remote sensing missions, (iii) soil moisture monitoring networks, and (iv) applications of large-scale soil moisture measurements. Significant near-term progress seems possible in the use of large-scale soil moisture data for drought monitoring. Assimilation of soil moisture data for meteorological or hydrologic forecasting also shows promise, but significant challenges related to spatial variability and model structures remain. Little progress has been made in the use of large-scale soil moisture observations within the context of ecological or agricultural modeling. Opportunities abound to advance the science and practice of large-scale soil moisture monitoring for the sake of improved Earth system monitoring, modeling, and forecasting.
Pelvic Floor Ultrasound: A Review

Female pelvic floor dysfunction encompasses a number of prevalent conditions and includes pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, obstructed defecation, and sexual dysfunction. In most cases neither etiology nor pathophysiology are well understood. Imaging has great potential to enhance both research and clinical management capabilities, and to date this potential is underutilized. Of the available techniques such as x-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ultrasound, the latter is generally superior for pelvic floor imaging, especially in the form of perineal or translabial imaging. The technique is safe, simple, cheap, easily accessible and provides high spatial and temporal resolutions.
Stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity in bovine cumulus cells protects the oocyte against saturated fatty acid stress

Abstract Metabolic rich and poor conditions are both characterized by elevated free fatty acid levels and have been associated with impaired female fertility. In particular, saturated free fatty acids have a dose-dependent negative impact on oocyte developmental competence, while monounsaturated free fatty acids appear less harmful. Cumulus cells seem to protect the oocyte against free fatty acids, and the aim of this study was to determine the mechanism behind this protection In particular, the role of the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) that converts saturated into monounsaturated fatty acids was investigated. SCD gene and protein were abundantly expressed in cumulus cells, but expression was low in oocytes. The level of SCD protein expression in cumulus cells did not change when COCs were exposed to saturated stearic acid during maturation. SCD inhibition in the presence of stearic acid significantly reduced the developmental competence of oocytes and increased the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. The esterified oleic/stearic acid ratio of the neutral lipid fraction in cumulus cells decreased in the presence of SCD inhibitors when COCs were exposed to saturated free fatty acids during maturation, indicating the SCD-specific conversion of saturated fatty acids under noninhibiting conditions. The observation that cumulus cells can desaturate the potentially toxic stearic acid into oleic acid via SCD activity provides a mechanistic insight into how the cumulus cells protect the oocyte against toxicity by saturated fatty acid. Summary Sentence Stearoyl-CoA desaturase in bovine cumulus cells converts saturated into monounsaturated fatty acid and protects the oocyte against fatty acid-induced lipotoxicity.
Direct Observation of the Myosin Va Recovery Stroke That Contributes to Unidirectional Stepping along Actin

Myosins are ATP-driven linear molecular motors that work as cellular force generators, transporters, and force sensors. These functions are driven by large-scale nucleotide-dependent conformational changes, termed “strokes”; the “power stroke” is the force-generating swinging of the myosin light chain–binding “neck” domain relative to the motor domain “head” while bound to actin; the “recovery stroke” is the necessary initial motion that primes, or “cocks,” myosin while detached from actin. Myosin Va is a processive dimer that steps unidirectionally along actin following a “hand over hand” mechanism in which the trailing head detaches and steps forward ∼72 nm. Despite large rotational Brownian motion of the detached head about a free joint adjoining the two necks, unidirectional stepping is achieved, in part by the power stroke of the attached head that moves the joint forward. However, the power stroke alone cannot fully account for preferential forward site binding since the orientation and angle stability of the detached head, which is determined by the properties of the recovery stroke, dictate actin binding site accessibility. Here, we directly observe the recovery stroke dynamics and fluctuations of myosin Va using a novel, transient caged ATP-controlling system that maintains constant ATP levels through stepwise UV-pulse sequences of varying intensity. We immobilized the neck of monomeric myosin Va on a surface and observed real time motions of bead(s) attached site-specifically to the head. ATP induces a transient swing of the neck to the post-recovery stroke conformation, where it remains for ∼40 s, until ATP hydrolysis products are released. Angle distributions indicate that the post-recovery stroke conformation is stabilized by ≥5 k B T of energy. The high kinetic and energetic stability of the post-recovery stroke conformation favors preferential binding of the detached head to a forward site 72 nm away. Thus, the recovery stroke contributes to unidirectional stepping of myosin Va.
Analytical solution of isothermal fatigue crack growth in solid cylinder

Abstract Nowadays many industries deal with components which are subjected to high loads at elevated temperatures than before due to the increasing requirements regarding weight and performance. The simplest process to check the behaviour of the material at high temperature is the isothermal fatigue (IF), by designing a fatigue cycle at constant and uniform temperature to estimate stress-strain required to predict fatigue life of the material. Generally it is assumed that the maximum temperature in the loading cycle represents the most damaging condition likely to be experienced during service life of the component. An empirical IF model for solid cylinder subjected to constant temperature superimposed with sinusoidal mechanical load applied at different stress levels is being proposed. Linear equations are developed to describe the severity of the temperature gradient, thermal stresses, and stress and strain intensity factors through the solid cylinder wall as function of time. Results show the effect of temperature can be explained as increase in von Mises thermal stress increase as a function of increasing temperature. The highest stress at 400 °C recorded is due to inherent hardness increase of the material indicated by high modulus of elasticity. The mechanical stress is more effective than thermal loading and results show that the stress intensity factor decreases with temperature, except at 400 °C (due to hardness increase).
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Integrates Directly into Naïve Resting CD4+ T Cells but Enters Naïve Cells Less Efficiently than Memory Cells

ABSTRACT Resting CD4+ T cells restrict human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at or before reverse transcription, resulting in slower kinetics of reverse transcription. In a previous study, we showed that, despite this restriction at reverse transcription, HIV integration occurs in resting CD4+ T cells, albeit with slower kinetics. In that study, the resting T cells were a mixture of memory and naïve cells. Here we asked whether the more quiescent naïve cell subset could be directly infected by HIV and, if so, whether the level of integration in naïve cells was comparable to that in memory cells. We found that HIV integrates in the naïve subset of resting CD4+ T cells without prior activation of the cells. The level of integration (proviruses/cell) in naïve cells was lower than that in memory cells. This difference between naïve and memory cells was observed whether we inoculated the cells with R5 or X4 HIV and could not be explained solely by differences in coreceptor expression. The presence of endogenous dendritic cells did not change the number of proviruses/cell in memory or naïve cells, and deoxynucleoside pools were equally limiting. Our results instead indicate the existence of a novel restriction point in naïve T cells at viral fusion that results in reduced levels of fusion to naïve CD4+ T cells. We conclude that HIV can integrate into both naïve and memory cells directly. Our data further support our hypothesis that integrated proviral infection of resting T cells can be established without T-cell activation.
Attributing Conversions in a Multichannel Online Marketing Environment : An Empirical Model and a Field Experiment

Vol. LI (February 2014), 40–56 *Hongshuang (Alice) Li is a doctoral candidate in Marketing (hli2@ rhsmith. umd.edu), and P.K. Kannan is Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Marketing Science (pkannan@rhsmith.umd.edu), Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park. The authors acknowledge the support of Marketing Science Institute through its grant #4-1680 for this research. The authors also thank the reviewers for their suggestions to improve the article as well as David Godes, Yogesh Joshi, Rebecca Ratner, Roland Rust, Michael Trusov, Michel Wedel, and Jie Zhang for their comments on earlier versions. V. Kumar served as associate editor for this article. HONGSHUANG (ALICE) LI and P.K. KANNAN*
Evaluation of the Effect of Carbohydrate Intake on Postprandial Glucose in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes Treated With Insulin Pumps

Background: It has been suggested that dietary freedom in functional insulin therapy may be detrimental to glycemic control in type 1 diabetes. This study evaluates the effect of carbohydrate intake on glycemic control and postprandial blood glucose concentrations. Methods: Insulin pump data from 148 adults with type 1 diabetes, trained in functional insulin therapy, using pumps for ≥6 months, with ≥2 weeks of consecutive downloaded data, ≥80% use of a bolus calculator, ≥3 capillary blood glucose tests/day, and a concurrent HbA1C, were analyzed. More detailed periprandial data (pre- and postmeal glucose, carbohydrate intake, insulin bolus) were collected from a subset of 105 downloads (3495 meals). Results: Mean (± SD) age of contributors was 43 ± 13 years, HbA1C 7.84% ± 0.93 (62.19 mmol/mol); daily carbohydrate intake 166 ± 71 g. HbA1C reduced with increased meals/day (r = –.370, P < .0005) and increased with mean carbohydrate content/meal (r = .198, P = .043). However, total daily carbohydrate intake had a weak but significant negative association with HbA1C (r = –.181, P = .027). There was no association between standard deviation of carbohydrate intake and HbA1C (r = .021, P = .802) or between meal carbohydrate content and postprandial change in blood glucose (r = –.004, P = .939) for meals with early postprandial (1-3 hours; n = 390) readings. There was a weak positive correlation (r = .184, P = .008) between meal carbohydrate content and late (4-7 hours; n = 390) postprandial readings. Discussion: With appropriate training, patients using insulin pumps can accommodate a flexible diet with variable carbohydrate intake, without detriment to glycemic control. However, large carbohydrate meals may contribute to poorer outcomes, through impact on late postprandial glycemia.
A Personal Touch: The Most Important Strategy for Recruiting Latino Research Participants

People from non-White racial groups and other underserved populations, including Latinos, are frequently reluctant to participate in research. Yet their participation into research is foundational to producing information that researchers and health care providers need to address health disparities. The purpose of this article is to describe challenges we have encountered along with culturally relevant strategies we used in five research studies to recruit Mexican American participants from community settings, some of whom were also of low socioeconomic status. We found that the most effective recruitment strategies reflect the common cultural values of personalismo, simpátia, confianza, respeto, and familismo.