The Feasibility and Impact of Delivering a Mind-Body Intervention in a Virtual World

Introduction: Mind-body medical approaches may ameliorate chronic disease. Stress reduction is particularly helpful, but face-to-face delivery systems cannot reach all those who might benefit. An online, 3-dimensional virtual world may be able to support the rich interpersonal interactions required of this approach. In this pilot study, we explore the feasibility of translating a face-to-face stress reduction program into an online virtual setting and estimate the effect size of the intervention. Methods and Findings: Domain experts in virtual world technology joined with mind body practitioners to translate an existing 8 week relaxation response-based resiliency program into an 8-week virtual world-based program in Second Life™ (SL). Twenty-four healthy volunteers with at least one month's experience in SL completed the program. Each subject filled out the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Symptom Checklist 90- Revised (SCL-90-R) before and after taking part. Participants took part in one of 3 groups of about 10 subjects. The participants found the program to be helpful and enjoyable. Many reported that the virtual environment was an excellent substitute for the preferred face-to-face approach. On quantitative measures, there was a general trend toward decreased perceived stress, (15.7 to 15.0), symptoms of depression, (57.6 to 57.0) and anxiety (56.8 to 54.8). There was a significant decrease of 2.8 points on the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (p<0.05). Conclusions: This pilot project showed that it is feasible to deliver a typical mind-body medical intervention through a virtual environment and that it is well received. Moreover, the small reduction in psychological distress suggests further research is warranted. Based on the data collected for this project, a randomized trial with less than 50 subjects would be appropriately powered if perceived stress is the primary outcome

Construction and Random Generation of Hypergraphs with Prescribed Degree and Dimension Sequences

We propose algorithms for construction and random generation of hypergraphs without loops and with prescribed degree and dimension sequences. The objective is to provide a starting point for as well as an alternative to Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches. Our algorithms leverage the transposition of properties and algorithms devised for matrices constituted of zeros and ones with prescribed row- and column-sums to hypergraphs. The construction algorithm extends the applicability of Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches when the initial hypergraph is not provided. The random generation algorithm allows the development of a self-normalised importance sampling estimator for hypergraph properties such as the average clustering coefficient.We prove the correctness of the proposed algorithms. We also prove that the random generation algorithm generates any hypergraph following the prescribed degree and dimension sequences with a non-zero probability. We empirically and comparatively evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the random generation algorithm. Experiments show that the random generation algorithm provides stable and accurate estimates of average clustering coefficient, and also demonstrates a better effective sample size in comparison with the Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figure

Direct patterning of gold nanoparticles using flexographic printing for biosensing applications

In this paper, we have presented the use of flexographic printing techniques in the selective patterning of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto a substrate. Highly uniform coverage of AuNPs was selectively patterned on the substrate surface, which was subsequently used in the development of a glucose sensor. These AuNPs provide a biocompatible site for the attachment of enzymes and offer high sensitivity in the detection of glucose due to their large surface to volume ratio. The average size of the printed AuNPs is less than 60 nm. Glucose sensing tests were performed using printed carbon-AuNP electrodes functionalized with glucose oxidase (GOx). The results showed a high sensitivity of 5.52 μA mM−1 cm−2 with a detection limit of 26 μM. We have demonstrated the fabrication of AuNP-based biosensors using flexographic printing, which is ideal for low-cost, high-volume production of the devices

DT-diaphorase activity in NSCLC and SCLC cell lines: a role for fos/jun regulation

To assess the potential differential lung tumour expression of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQO1), the human (h) NQO1 promoter was characterized in gene transfer studies. A deletion panel of 5′ flanking hNQO1 promoter constructs was made and tested in transient transfection assays in NSCLC and SCLC cell lines. The largest hNQO1 construct (–1539/+115) containing the antioxidant response element (ARE), exhibited robust levels of reporter activity in the NSCLC (H460, H520, and A549) cell lines and expression was over 12 to 77-fold higher than the minimal (–259/+115) promoter construct. In contrast, there was little difference in promoter activity between the largest and minimal promoter construct in the SCLC (H146, H82 and H187) cell lines. Deletion of the sites for NFκB and AP-2 and the XRE did not significantly affect hNQO1 promoter activity in either the NSCLC or SCLC cell lines. Robust promoter activity in NSCLC lines was mediated by a 359 bp segment of the proximal promoter that contained a canonical AP-1 binding site, TGACTCAG, within the ARE. Gel supershift assays with various specific Fos/Jun antibodies identified Fra1, Fra2 and Jun B binding activity in NSCLC cells to a promoter fragment (–477 to –438) spanning the AP-1 site, whereas SCLC do not appear to express functional Fra or Jun B. These results suggest a possible role for AP-1 activity in the differential expression of hNQO1 in NSCLC. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Multiple publications: The main reason for the retraction of papers in computer science

This paper intends to review the reasons for the retraction over the last decade. The paper particularly aims at reviewing these reasons with reference to computer science field to assist authors in comprehending the style of writing. To do that, a total of thirty-six retracted papers found on the Web of Science within Jan 2007 through July 2017 are explored. Given the retraction notices which are based on ten common reasons, this paper classifies the two main categories, namely random and nonrandom retraction. Retraction due to the duplication of publications scored the highest proportion of all other reasons reviewed

All different or all the same? Exploring the diversity of professional practices in Portuguese school psychology

"Published online: 29 March 2016"Studies have generally characterized school psychologists as a relative homogenous population. Understanding the differences in professional practices and related variables is important for the development of the profession. Using a sample of 446 Portuguese school psychologists, this study used cluster analysis to identify distinct profiles of professional activity, based on practitioners’ time distribution among different target audiences (i.e.,students, parents, teachers, school board members, school non-professional staff, and other professionals within the school community). Three distinct profiles emerged from the data: a group highly oriented to work with students, a group that distributes time almost equitably between adults and students, and a group that concentrates attention and professional expertise on adults. Practice setting variables, such as school-psychologists-to-student ratio, schoolpsychologists-to-school ratio, number of referrals per year, and school community level of demand for different activities, were found to be significantly related to cluster membership. No personal- or professional-background-related variables differentiated the three groups. The main implications of these findings are discussed in light of recent literature regarding the models of service delivery for school psychologists

The effect of long term combined yoga practice on the basal metabolic rate of healthy adults

BACKGROUND: Different procedures practiced in yoga have stimulatory or inhibitory effects on the basal metabolic rate when studied acutely. In daily life however, these procedures are usually practiced in combination. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the net change in the basal metabolic rate (BMR) of individuals actively engaging in a combination of yoga practices (asana or yogic postures, meditation and pranayama or breathing exercises) for a minimum period of six months, at a residential yoga education and research center at Bangalore. METHODS: The measured BMR of individuals practicing yoga through a combination of practices was compared with that of control subjects who did not practice yoga but led similar lifestyles. RESULTS: The BMR of the yoga practitioners was significantly lower than that of the non-yoga group, and was lower by about 13 % when adjusted for body weight (P < 0.001). This difference persisted when the groups were stratified by gender; however, the difference in BMR adjusted for body weight was greater in women than men (about 8 and 18% respectively). In addition, the mean BMR of the yoga group was significantly lower than their predicted values, while the mean BMR of non-yoga group was comparable with their predicted values derived from 1985 WHO/FAO/UNU predictive equations. CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is a significantly reduced BMR, probably linked to reduced arousal, with the long term practice of yoga using a combination of stimulatory and inhibitory yogic practices

Search for CP violation in D+→ϕπ+ and D+s→K0Sπ+ decays

A search for CP violation in D + → ϕπ + decays is performed using data collected in 2011 by the LHCb experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb−1 at a centre of mass energy of 7 TeV. The CP -violating asymmetry is measured to be (−0.04 ± 0.14 ± 0.14)% for candidates with K − K + mass within 20 MeV/c 2 of the ϕ meson mass. A search for a CP -violating asymmetry that varies across the ϕ mass region of the D + → K − K + π + Dalitz plot is also performed, and no evidence for CP violation is found. In addition, the CP asymmetry in the D+s→K0Sπ+ decay is measured to be (0.61 ± 0.83 ± 0.14)%

Proteomic identification of secreted proteins as surrogate markers for signal transduction inhibitor activity

Epidermal growth factor receptor is a potential target for cancer treatment and new small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor drugs have been designed to inhibit its activity. In this work we identify potential surrogate markers of drug activity using a proteomic analysis. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was optimised to compare expression patterns of proteins secreted from the cancer cell lines A431 and A549 treated with Gefitinib (Iressa) vs untreated or vehicle-only-treated samples. Upregulated or downregulated proteins were detected using Phoretix 2D image analysis software. Several proteins were then identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. In one case, upregulation of Protein Disulphide Isomerase in response to Gefitinib was confirmed by Western blot analysis, and the response was shown to be concentration dependent. The identification of surrogate markers may be of use for the evaluation of new drugs, in preclinical models, in clinical trials and in the therapy of individual patients to give optimal biological drug doses