Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a dialectical behaviour therapy skills training group in reducing burnout and psychological distress in psychology trainees: A pilot study

Objective High levels of burnout, stress, and distress are reported in trainee psychologists. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an 8‐week dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training group for reducing study burnout and psychological distress and increasing study engagement and wellbeing. Method Seventeen psychology trainees (16 females; age: M = 31.53; SD = 6.60; range 23–51) took part in the DBT skills training group. Intervention change scores were compared with a non‐randomised control group (n = 57; 53 females; age: M = 30.84; SD = 6.37, range 24–52). Outcome variables included burnout, psychological distress, study demands, engagement, emotional stability, psychological flexibility, and mindfulness. Results Change scores for the intervention group were significantly higher than those for the control group, and changes were largely maintained at 6‐month follow up. Quantitative and qualitative analysis suggested that the group was well received by participants. Conclusions Preliminary support was found for the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of the DBT skills training group for psychology trainees in reducing burnout and psychological distress and increasing engagement, psychological flexibility, emotional stability, and mindfulness. More research into burnout and distress reduction in psychology trainees is needed to determine effective and efficacious interventions.
Modeled Impact of Anthropogenic Land Cover Change on Climate

Abstract Equilibrium experiments with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory’s climate model are used to investigate the impact of anthropogenic land cover change on climate. Regions of altered land cover include large portions of Europe, India, eastern China, and the eastern United States. Smaller areas of change are present in various tropical regions. This study focuses on the impacts of biophysical changes associated with the land cover change (albedo, root and stomatal properties, roughness length), which is almost exclusively a conversion from forest to grassland in the model; the effects of irrigation or other water management practices and the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide changes associated with land cover conversion are not included in these experiments. The model suggests that observed land cover changes have little or no impact on globally averaged climatic variables (e.g., 2-m air temperature is 0.008 K warmer in a simulation with 1990 land cover compared to a simulation with poten.
Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment and Title IX: A Conflict in the Federal Courts

Federa l laws prov ide legal re l ief for teachers . secretaries . and custodians who are sexua l ly harassed at school by the i r peers . Both Ti t le V I I and Ti t le IX prov ide a remedy f<Jr a sexual ly host i le env i ronment created by coworkers . 1 Whi le the adu lts in the school have ava i lable a lega l remedy for the d i s­ cr iminatory conduct of the i r peers. the students in the same school may have no such j ud ic ia l protection from the i r peers· severe or pervasive behav ior that forces them to run a gaunt let of abuse in order to rece ive the i r educat ion . Students are not entit led to protect ion under Ti t le V II because they are not employees . However. both students and sc�ool employees are protected under Tit le I X . But . adu l ts rece ive legal protect ion under Ti t le IX for peer sexual harassment that may be denied to students . 2 Sexual harassment is a real specter that haunts the l ives of most school­ chi ldren . A national survey conducted by the American Assoc iation of Uni­ versity Women in 1993 found that 85 percent of the gir ls and 76 percent of the boys reported being sexual ly harassed in their publ ic school : 70 per­ cent had been the v ict ims of harassment by other students. It is no coinc idence that the title of their report is Ho.Hile Halhmys. Noted authority on sexual harassment i n our publ ic schools . Nan Ste in . retold the story of a fourteen­ year-old girl from New Hampsh i re :
A financial conditions index for Switzerland

Freedman (1994) first proposed the construction of a monetary conditions index (MCI), arguing that the MCI, being a weighted sum of the short-term interest rate and the exchange rate, is preferable to the interest rate alone as an operating target for a small open economy. The brief experience of countries using the MCI as an operating target is limited to Canada and New Zealand. MCIs, however, continue to be calculated by central banks and international organisations as simple indicators for the stance of monetary policy.
The Equality Problem for Rational Series with Multiplicities in the tropical Semiring is Undecidable

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. The equality problem for rational series with multiplicities in the tropical semiring is undecidable Daniel Krob
Cultural Assimilation, Cultural Diffusion and the Origin of the Wealth of Nations

This research argues that variations in the interplay between cultural assimilation and cultural diffusion have played a significant role in giving rise to differential patterns of economic development across the globe. Societies that were geographically less vulnerable to cultural diffusion, benefited from enhanced assimilation, lower cultural diversity and, thus, more intense accumulation of society-specific human capital, enabling them to flourish in the technological paradigm that characterized the agricultural stage of development. The lack of cultural diffusion and its manifestation in cultural rigidity, however, diminished the ability of these societies to adapt to a new technological paradigm, which delayed their industrialization and, thereby, their take-off to a state of sustained economic growth. The theory contributes to the understanding of the advent of divergence and overtaking in the process of long-run development, attributing the dominance of some societies within a given technological regime to a superior operation of cultural assimilation, while the success of others in the switch between technological regimes to a higher frequency of cultural diffusion and the beneficial effect of diversity on the adaptability of society to a changing technological environment. Thus, in contrast to the cultural and institutional hypotheses, which posit a hierarchy of cultural and institutional attributes in terms of their conduciveness to innovation and their ability in fostering industrialization, the proposed theory suggests that the desirable degree of the relative prevalence of cultural assimilation versus cultural diffusion varies according to the stage of development. Enhanced cultural assimilation is optimal within a given stage of development, but is detrimental for the transition between technological regimes. Therefore, while cultural traits themselves do not necessarily have a differential effect on the process of development, it is the variation in the relative strengths of the forces of cultural assimilation and cultural diffusion, which together determine the heterogeneity of these traits, that is instrumental for comparative economic development.
Pulse Pressure Magnifies the Effect of COMT Val158Met on 15 Years Episodic Memory Trajectories

We investigated whether a physiological marker of cardiovascular health, pulse pressure (PP), and age magnified the effect of the functional COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism on 15-years cognitive trajectories [episodic memory (EM), visuospatial ability, and semantic memory] using data from 1585 non-demented adults from the Betula study. A multiple-group latent growth curve model was specified to gauge individual differences in change, and average trends therein. The allelic variants showed negligible differences across the cognitive markers in average trends. The older portion of the sample selectively age-magnified the effects of Val158Met on EM changes, resulting in greater decline in Val compared to homozygote Met carriers. This effect was attenuated by statistical control for PP. Further, PP moderated the effects of COMT on 15-years EM trajectories, resulting in greater decline in Val carriers, even after accounting for the confounding effects of sex, education, cardiovascular diseases (diabetes, stroke, and hypertension), and chronological age, controlled for practice gains. The effect was still present after excluding individuals with a history of cardiovascular diseases. The effects of cognitive change were not moderated by any other covariates. This report underscores the importance of addressing synergistic effects in normal cognitive aging, as the addition thereof may place healthy individuals at greater risk for memory decline.
Retrospective Characterization of a Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 1 Isolate from Sewage in Greece

ABSTRACT Retrospective molecular and phenotypic characterization of a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) type 1 isolate (7/b/97) isolated from sewage in Athens, Greece, in 1997 is reported. VP1 sequencing of this isolate revealed 1.87% divergence from the VP1 region of reference strain Sabin 1, while further genomic characterization of isolate 7/b/97 revealed a recombination event in the nonstructural part of the genome between a vaccine strain and a nonvaccine strain probably belonging to Enterovirus species C. Amino acid substitutions commonly found in previous studies were identified in the capsid coding region of the isolate, while most of the attenuation and temperature sensitivity determinants were reverted. The ultimate source of isolate 7/b/97 is unknown. The recovery of such a highly divergent derivative of a vaccine strain emphasizes the need for urgent implementation of environmental surveillance as a supportive procedure in the polio surveillance system even in countries with high rates of OPV coverage in order to prevent cases or even outbreaks of poliomyelitis that otherwise would be inevitable.
An information centric network for computing the distribution of computations

Named Function Networking (NFN) extends classic Information Centric Networking (ICN), such that in addition to resolving data access by name, it also supports the concept of function definition and application to data (or other functions) in the same resolution-by-name process. This empowers the network to select internally (optimal) places for fulfilling a potentially complex user expression. Forwarding optimization and routing policies become thereafter a basis of dynamic decisions for (re)-distributing computations, and retrieving results. In this paper we describe the intrinsic operations and mechanisms of an instantiation of NFN based on untyped Lambda expressions and Scala procedures. Then, we demonstrate through a series of proof-of-concept experiments how they extend the capabilities of an information centric network (CCN), for orchestrating and distributing data computations, and re-using cached results from previous computations. In the end we report and discuss the main observations stemming from these experiments and highlight important insights that can impact the architecting of ICN protocols that focus on named-data.
Changes in Human Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Blood Volume during Visual Stimulation Measured by Positron Emission Tomography

The hemodynamic mechanism of increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) during neural activation has not been elucidated in humans. In the current study, changes in both regional CBF and cerebral blood volume (CBV) during visual stimulation in humans were investigated. Cerebral blood flow and CBV were measured by positron emission tomography using H215O and 11CO, respectively, at rest and during 2-Hz and 8-Hz photic flicker stimulation in each of 10 subjects. Changes in CBF in the primary visual cortex were 16% ± 16% and 68% ± 20% for the visual stimulation of 2 Hz and 8 Hz, respectively. The changes in CBV were 10% ± 13% and 21% ± 5% for 2-Hz and 8-Hz stimulation, respectively. Significant differences between changes in CBF and CBV were observed for visual stimulation of 8 Hz. The relation between CBF and CBV values during rest and visual stimulation was CBV = 0.88CBF0. 30. This indicates that when the increase in CBF during neural activation is great, that increase is caused primarily by the increase in vascular blood velocity rather than by the increase in CBV. This observation is consistent with reported findings obtained during hypercapnia.
Early versus late start of immunosuppressive therapy in idiopathic membranous nephropathy : a randomized controlled trial

Background. Immunosuppressive therapy in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) is debated. Accurate identification of patients at high risk for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) allows early start of therapy in these patients. It is unknown if early start of therapy is more effective and/or less toxic than late start (i.e. when GFR deteriorates). Methods. We conducted a randomized open-label study in patients with iMN, a normal renal function and a high risk for ESRD (urinary β2m >0.5 μg/min, UIgG >125 mg/ day). Patients started with immunosuppressive therapy (cyclophosphamide for 12 months, and steroids) either immediately after randomization or when renal function deteriorated ( sCr ≥+25% and sCr >135 μmol/l or sCr ≥+50%). End points were remission rates, duration of the nephrotic syndrome (NS), renal function and complications. Results. The study included 26 patients (24 M/2 F), age 48 ± 12 years; sCr 96 μmol/l (range 68–126) and median proteinuria 10.0 g/10 mmol Cr. Early treatment resulted in a more rapid onset of remission (P = 0.003) and a shorter duration of the NS (P = 0.009). However, at the end of the follow-up (72 ± 22 m), there were no differences in overall remission rate, sCr (93 versus 105 μmol/l), proteinuria, relapse rate and adverse events. Conclusions. In high-risk patients with iMN, immunosuppressive treatment is effective in inducing a remission. Early treatment shortens the duration of the nephrotic phase, but does not result in better preservation of renal function. Our study indicates that treatment decisions must be based on risk and benefit assessment in the individual patient.
Group Rumination: Social Interactions Around Music in People with Depression

One of the most important roles that music serves in human society is the promotion of social relationships and group cohesion. In general, emotional experiences tend to be amplified in group settings through processes of social feedback. However, previous research has established that listening to sad music can intensify negative emotions in people with tendencies to rumination and depression. This study therefore investigated the phenomenon of ruminating with music, and the question of whether listening to sad music in group settings provides social benefits for emotionally vulnerable listeners, or whether it further exaggerates depressive tendencies. Participants recruited via online depression groups and mental health websites were surveyed as to music listening habits. Results revealed that people with depression were more likely to engage in “group rumination” using music, and that this behavior could be partially explained by a general tendency to ruminate using music. Both affective states and coping styles were found to be related to the affective outcomes of group interactions around music. These findings go some way toward clarifying the situations in which group interactions around music are able to provide important social benefits for those involved, and situations in which negative emotions can be amplified by the group context.
Mean platelet volume in bipolar disorder: the search for an ideal biomarker

Background The pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD) remains a mystery. In this context, interest in the role of the immune and inflammatory systems in BD has been increasing. We aimed to compare the routine hemogram values of BD patients with those of the participants in the healthy control group, to assess the inflammation levels of the two groups. Mean platelet volume (MPV) can be obtained as routine hemogram parameters and may aid in the detection of systemic inflammation. Subjects and methods This study was conducted with BD (manic episode) inpatients (n=132) and healthy controls (n=135). Abnormally distributed variables (ie, neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio [NLR], platelet–lymphocyte ratio [PLR], neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit [HCT], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration [MCHC], red cell distribution width [RDW], MPV, and plateletcrit [PCT]) were compared using the Mann–Whitney U-test. Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean ages and white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts of the patients with BD against those of the participants in the control group. Results The comparisons revealed that while the mean WBC and the median NLR, PLR, neutrophil, lymphocyte, MPV, and PCT values were significantly higher in the patients with BD (P<0.05), the median hemoglobin, RBC, HCT, and MCHC values were significantly higher in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Comparisons of hemogram values of patients with BD against those of the healthy control group revealed that inflammatory cells (absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, PCT, and MPV) and ratios (NLR, PLR) seem to be altered during manic episodes. These findings support the hypothesis that inflammatory activation occurs in BD during manic episodes. In addition to NLR and PLR, MPV may be useful in the detection of this activation. The most significant limitation in the study is that smokers were not excluded in both groups. The development of new preventive and therapeutic options can be facilitated through the understanding of this mechanism because through this mechanism, inflammation may pathologically affect brain function, as well as inducing and/or perpetuating BD.
Multiple non-trivial solutions of the Dirichlet problem for the prescribed mean curvature equation

We prove the existence of three non-trivial solutions of the prescribed mean curvature problem −div ( ∇u/ √ 1 + |∇u| ) = λf(x, u) in Ω, u = 0 on ∂Ω, in a bounded domain Ω ⊂ RN , assuming that the potential F (x, s) = ∫ s 0 f(x, t) dt is subquadratic at s = 0 and λ > 0 is small. This yields an extension to a genuine PDE setting of some recent results of K.C. Chang and T. Zhang. Two further solutions are obtained when F (x, s) is superlinear at infinity. The case where F (x, s) is even is discussed too.
The pricing of subprime mortgage risk in good times and bad: evidence from the ABX.HE indices

This article investigates the pricing of subprime mortgage risk using data for the ABX.HE indices, which have become a key barometer of market conditions during the recent financial crisis. After a discussion of ABX index mechanics and observed pricing patterns, we use regression analysis to establish the relationship between observed index returns and macroeconomic news as well as market-based proxies of various pricing factors. The results imply that declining risk appetite and heightened concerns about market illiquidity–likely due in part to significant short positioning–have provided a sizeable contribution to the observed collapse in ABX prices. In particular, while fundamental factors, such as housing market activity, have continued to exert an important influence on the subordinated indices, those backed by senior exposures have tended to react more to the general deterioration of the financial market environment. This provides further support for the inappropriateness of pricing models that do not account sufficiently for factors such as risk appetite and liquidity risk, particularly in periods of stress. In addition, as related risk premia can be captured by unconstrained investors, these findings lend support to government measures aimed at taking troubled assets off banks’ balance sheets (e.g. the Troubled Asset Relief Program).
The HCI Stereo Metrics: Geometry-Aware Performance Analysis of Stereo Algorithms

Performance characterization of stereo methods is mandatory to decide which algorithm is useful for which application. Prevalent benchmarks mainly use the root mean squared error (RMS) with respect to ground truth disparity maps to quantify algorithm performance. We show that the RMS is of limited expressiveness for algorithm selection and introduce the HCI Stereo Metrics. These metrics assess stereo results by harnessing three semantic cues: depth discontinuities, planar surfaces, and fine geometric structures. For each cue, we extract the relevant set of pixels from existing ground truth. We then apply our evaluation functions to quantify characteristics such as edge fattening and surface smoothness. We demonstrate that our approach supports practitioners in selecting the most suitable algorithm for their application. Using the new Middlebury dataset, we show that rankings based on our metrics reveal specific algorithm strengths and weaknesses which are not quantified by existing metrics. We finally show how stacked bar charts and radar charts visually support multidimensional performance evaluation. An interactive stereo benchmark based on the proposed metrics and visualizations is available at: http://hci.iwr. uni-heidelberg.de/stereometrics.
Fighting from the Pulpit: Religious Leaders and Violent Conflict in Israel

Religious leaders greatly influence their constituents’ political behavior. Yet, it is unclear what events trigger nationalist attitudes among religious leaders and why this effect occurs more among some religious leaders rather than others. In this article, I examine the content of Israeli Rabbinic rhetoric during different military and political conflicts. Drawing on an original collection of Sabbath pamphlets distributed to Synagogues, I demonstrate that religious rhetoric is highly responsive to levels of violence for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. I find that religious rhetoric and tone are more nationalist during conflict with the Palestinians and that this effect is mediated by religious ideologies toward the state. In contrast, religious rhetoric does not respond to military conflict in Lebanon or other internal Israeli political conflicts. These findings highlight under what conditions religious leaders infuse conflict with a religious tone, arguably making it harder to gain support for political compromise among the religious public.