Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of the positive psychology intervention for older adults

Although research suggests that positive psychology intervention can enhance subjective well-being and reduce depression, its effectiveness on older adults remains largely unknown. Therefore the present study aimed to develop and evaluate a custom-tailored positive psychology intervention program for older adults. The program offered nine-week group sessions to 74 older people recruited from district community centers and nursing homes in Hong Kong. The intervention program covers eight themes, including optimism, gratitude, savoring, happiness, curiosity, courage, altruism, and meaning of life. The participants consisted mostly of females aged between 63 and 105 years. One-group pre-test/post-test design was adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention on depression, life satisfaction, gratitude, and happiness. Results revealed that the intervention reduced the number of depressive symptoms and increased the levels of life satisfaction, gratitude, and happiness. Effectiveness of the intervention is discussed in relation to self-awareness, education, self-reinforcement, and sensitivity to age and culture.
Distributed Media Services in P2P-Based Vehicular Networks

A significant challenge in vehicular networks is to efficiently provide heterogeneous media services with the constraints of limited resources, high mobility, opportunistic contact, and service time requirements. In this paper, we study the heterogeneous media provision in peer-to-peer (P2P)-based vehicular networks and develop fully dynamic service schemes with the goals of maximizing the total user-satisfaction and achieving a certain amount of fairness. We first construct a general user-satisfaction model according to the network transmission mechanism, as well as different media delay-satisfaction characteristics. Then, we formulate the media service as an optimization problem and propose a joint content dissemination and cache update scheme. We also provide the exact steps to achieve the optimal solution at equilibrium, given the user-satisfaction function. Furthermore, we extend the proposed service scheme by addressing the fairness problem. Unlike prior works that target at bandwidth or demand fair, we propose a media-aware satisfaction-fairness strategy, which is aware of the characteristic of user-satisfaction and media content and ensures max-min satisfaction-fairness sharing among multiple vehicles. It is worth noting that both schemes are designed in a distributed manner, which is amenable to online implementation for vehicle networks. In addition, we provide extensive simulation results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed schemes.
Highly parallelized inference of large genome‐based phylogenies

Genome Blast Distance Phylogeny (GBDP) infers distances and phylogenetic relationships between organisms from completely or partially sequenced genomes. It is well suited for parallelization as pairwise distances are calculated independently. As exemplar data for a high‐performance cluster implementation that executes many pairwise genome comparisons in parallel, we here used sequences from the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea project. Phylogenies were inferred from genome‐scale nucleotide and amino acid data with all variants of GBDP, including novel adaptations to amino acid sequences and approaches yielding trees with branch support. The dependency of phylogenetic accuracy, average branch support as well as performance indicators such as running time and disk space consumption on details of genome comparison, distance calculation, and phylogenetic inference was examined in detail. If combined with conservative measures for branch support, GBDP appears to infer reasonable phylogenetic relationships of microorganisms with a comparatively low computational cost. Due to the linear speed‐up of the cluster, benchmarks reveal an overall computation time of less than 24 h required for the 7750 pairwise genome/proteome comparisons of the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea data set that is opposed to an estimated running time of about 30 days for the non‐parallelized version. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Defining the Antigenic Diversity of Plasmodium falciparum Apical Membrane Antigen 1 and the Requirements for a Multi-Allele Vaccine against Malaria

Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1) is a leading malaria vaccine candidate and a target of naturally-acquired human immunity. Plasmodium falciparum AMA1 is polymorphic and in vaccine trials it induces strain-specific protection. This antigenic diversity is a major roadblock to development of AMA1 as a malaria vaccine and understanding how to overcome it is essential. To assess how AMA1 antigenic diversity limits cross-strain growth inhibition, we assembled a panel of 18 different P. falciparum isolates which are broadly representative of global AMA1 sequence diversity. Antibodies raised against four well studied AMA1 alleles (W2Mef, 3D7, HB3 and FVO) were tested for growth inhibition of the 18 different P. falciparum isolates in growth inhibition assays (GIA). All antibodies demonstrated substantial cross-inhibitory activity against different isolates and a mixture of the four different AMA1 antibodies inhibited all 18 isolates tested, suggesting significant antigenic overlap between AMA1 alleles and limited antigenic diversity of AMA1. Cross-strain inhibition by antibodies was only moderately and inconsistently correlated with the level of sequence diversity between AMA1 alleles, suggesting that sequence differences are not a strong predictor of antigenic differences or the cross-inhibitory activity of anti-allele antibodies. The importance of the highly polymorphic C1-L region for inhibitory antibodies and potential vaccine escape was assessed by generating novel transgenic P. falciparum lines for testing in GIA. While the polymorphic C1-L epitope was identified as a significant target of some growth-inhibitory antibodies, these antibodies only constituted a minor proportion of the total inhibitory antibody repertoire, suggesting that the antigenic diversity of inhibitory epitopes is limited. Our findings support the concept that a multi-allele AMA1 vaccine would give broad coverage against the diversity of AMA1 alleles and establish new tools to define polymorphisms important for vaccine escape.
Knowledge and attitudes of doctors toward the sexuality of older people in Turkey

ABSTRACT Background: Few studies have looked at healthcare professionals' knowledge of and attitudes to later life sexuality in both Western and Eastern cultures. Here we examine the attitudes and knowledge of Turkish medical doctors toward sexuality in older people. Method: Eighty-seven doctors, from various specialties, who were directly involved in the care of older people, were contacted by post and asked to complete the Turkish version of the Aging Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS). Results: A majority of physicians indicated that they had limited information and knowledge regarding sexual health issues in older people (69%). Although a small percentage (14.5%) reported that they “always” discuss sexuality and sexual problems with older patients, the majority (69%) indicated that they “sometimes” raise questions about sexuality with these patients. A high percentage (81%) stated that they would be helpful and receptive should an elderly patient initiate a discussion about sexual issues. Most participants (77%) thought that the patient's gender was of no importance when taking a sexual history. Overall, the responses to ASKAS showed that physicians had limited knowledge but their attitude was positive toward sexuality in the elderly. Female physicians had less knowledge than males and had more negative attitudes toward sexuality in this age group. Total and knowledge subscale scores of ASKAS showed that older physicians had more knowledge than younger physicians but similar attitudes. A comparison of the knowledge and attitude scores of psychiatrists, surgeons and non-surgeons showed no significant difference among the three groups. Conclusion: This study identified a low level of awareness of later life sexuality among Turkish medical doctors. These findings identify a need to improve the education and training of doctors at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to enable them to provide better sexual health care to older people.
Role of hyperinsulinemia in increased risk of prostate cancer: a case control study from Kathmandu Valley.

AIM To investigate the effect of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on prostate cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS This hospital based study was carried out using data retrieved from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of a tertiary care hospital of Kathmandu, Nepal between 31st December, 2011 and 31st October, 2013. The variables collected were age, serum cholesterol, serum calcium, PSA, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin. Analysis was performed by descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis using Excel 2003, R 2.8. 0, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc; Chicago, IL, USA) and the EPI Info 3.5. 1 Windows Version. RESULTS Of the total 125 subjects enrolled in our present study, 25 cases were of PCa and 100 were healthy controls. The mean value of fasting plasma glucose was 95.5 mg/dl in cases of prostatic carcinoma and the mean value of fasting plasma insulin was 5.78 μU/ml (p value: 0.0001*). The fasting insulin levels μU/ml were categorized into the different ranges starting from ≤2.75, >2.75 to ≤4.10, >4.10 to ≤6.10, >6.10μU/ml. The maximum number of cases of prostatic carcinoma of fasting insulin levels falls in range of >6.10μU/ml. The highest insulin levels (>6.10μU/ml) were seen to be associated with an 2.55 fold risk of prostatic carcinoma when compared with fasting insulin levels of (<2.75 μU/ml). CONCLUSIONS Elevated fasting levels of serum insulin appear to be associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Expectations for Household Task Allocation and Actual Task Allocation: A New Zealand Study.

This study compares engaged couples' expected gender-role differentiation of labor in marriage with their actual household task allocation one year after the marriage. The acceptance of feminist ideology was the dominant predictor of household task allocation for both males andfemales. Parental household task allocation did not predict task allocation. There was a tendency for household task expectations held prior to marriage to change in two ways after marriage: toward a more traditional and less egalitarian pattern.
Glacial stratigraphy and paleomagnetism of late Cenozoic deposits of the north-central United States

The north-central United States preserves one of the best continental records of late Pliocene and early-middle Pleistocene glaciations in the Northern Hemisphere. The glaciogenic sequences of this region consist of multiple tills interbedded with paleosols and volcanic ashes. Here we present results on paleomagnetic measurements and till compositional data from glacial sedimentary sequences in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Periods of normal polarity (Brunhes Chron) and reverse polarity (Matuyama Chron) were identified in the sedimentary sequences investigated. This chronology is further constrained by the presence of three volcanic ashes derived from dated eruptions of the Yellowstone caldera, which indicate that the oldest till was deposited . 2.0 Ma. Based on these results we identify three groups of tills representing at least seven pre‐Illinoian glaciations: two older groups of reverse-polarity tills containing low and intermediate proportions of crystalline clasts, respectively, and one younger group of normal-polarity tills enriched in crystalline lithologies. The clay mineralogy of the reverse-polarity tills is enriched in kaolinite and depleted in expandable clays relative to the normal-polarity tills, which are also characterized by a minor amount of chlorite. The silt fraction of tills also shows mineralogical contrasts whereby the normalpolarity tills are characterized by increases in calcite, dolomite, and feldspar, whereas the older tills show depletion in these minerals and a relative enrichment in quartz. These petrographic and mineralogic changes are indicative of an increase with time in the areal distribution of unweathered igneous and metamorphic source bedrock.
The effects of educational experiences on personality trait development

Recent research suggests that educational experiences lead to positive outcomes for reasons other than gains in cognitive abilities. Specifically, non-cognitive skills (i.e. personality traits) may change as a result of educational experiences (Heckman et al., 2010). To date, the idea that educational experiences contribute to changes in personality traits has received very little empirical support. The current study examines the relationship between educational experiences and personality trait development in a large German sample across four waves beginning in high school and throughout college. Findings suggest that personality traits in high school predict the type of educational experiences students have in college. Secondly, a number of educational experiences are associated with changes in personality traits. For example, going to class and spending more time on one’s homework is associated with increases in conscientiousness while having fewer stressful experiences are associated with decreases in neuroticism. Similarly, changes in educational experiences are associated with changes in personality traits, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between educational experiences and personality traits. Finally, a series of auto-regressive and auto-regressive latent trajectory (ALT) models found evidence that educational experiences can lead to changes in personality traits and vice-versa. Overall, this study suggests that educational contexts are important for the development of personality traits. Viewed in this light, one learns more in school than just class material.
Teaching Electricity Effectively in the Primary School: A Case Study.

The aim of this study was to identify the subject and teaching knowledge which primary school teachers can use to develop effectively children's understanding of electricity and simple circuits. Effectiveness was defined in terms of changes in children's views following teaching, and teaching knowledge as all of the ways in which a teacher helps children acquire an understanding of a topic. A fine‐grained and mainly qualitative approach was adopted, in which the learning of six children taught by a non‐specialist teacher was analysed in light of the classroom teaching experienced. The principal outcomes were identification of a set of concepts in electricity which can be taught effectvely to primary school children; identification of teaching knowledge which can be effective in developing concepts; a clearer view of the nature of teaching knowledge; and the need for experts to help primary teachers identify appropriate teaching knowledge.
Serum soluble CTLA-4 levels are increased in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine serum levels of soluble cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated molecule-4 (sCTLA-4) and clinical association in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS Serum sCTLA-4 levels from 32 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dSSc) and 27 patients with limited cutaneous SSc (lSSc) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For a longitudinal study, 211 sera from 30 SSc patients were analysed (follow-up 2.1-7.0 yr). RESULTS Serum sCTLA-4 levels were elevated in dSSc patients compared with normal controls (n = 41), lSSc patients and patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 23). By contrast, sCTLA-4 levels in patients with lSSc or SLE were normal. SSc patients with elevated sCTLA-4 levels had a shorter disease duration and more frequent presence of digital pitting scars, contracture of phalanges, diffuse pigmentation, pulmonary fibrosis and decreased percentage vital capacity (%VC) than those with normal sCTLA-4 levels. sCTLA-4 levels correlated positively with the extent of skin fibrosis, serum IgG levels and anti-topoisomerase I antibody levels. In a longitudinal study, sCTLA-4 levels decreased on a parallel with improvement of skin sclerosis in five dSSc patients. Skin sclerosis did not improve in two of six dSSc patients with high sCTLA-4 levels throughout the follow-up, while the remaining four patients showed improvement of skin sclerosis. CONCLUSION These results suggest that sCTLA-4 correlates with disease severity and activity of SSc and that sCTLA-4 plays a role in immunological abnormalities of SSc, since sCTLA-4 may augment humoral immune responses as well as T-cell responses by interfering with B7-CTLA-4 interactions that induce negative signals in T and B cells.
Hemodynamic Comparison Between Right Heart Catheterization and Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Study

Background: Tranthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is increasingly utilized in the management of critically ill patients in whom right heart catheterization (RHC) was frequently used in the past. We tested the hypothesis that bedside TTE can substitute for RHC for determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise in critically ill patients when initial clinical assessment is limited. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 51 patients from medical and surgical Intensive Care Units with unknown etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise. Patients underwent assessment of their cardiopulmonary compromise by RHC and TTE. A final clinical assessment, considered the gold standard was adjudicated by the intensivist caring for the patient. Results: There was complete agreement between TTE data and RHC data in determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise as cardiac or non-cardiac in 46 (90%) of the 51 patients. The kappa statistic for the agreement between TTE data and gold standard in determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise as cardiac or non-cardiac was 0.90 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.73 to 0.98; p<0.001). The kappa statistic for the agreement between RHC data and gold standard was 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.63 to 0.95; p < 0.001). Based on the results of the gold standard assessment, the positive predictive value and negative predictive value for TTE data determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise were 93% and 97% respectively. The positive predictive value and negative predictive value for RHC data determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise were 100% and 92% respectively. TTE was highly suggestive of pulmonary embolism and cardiac tamponade in three patients where RHC was not. Conclusion: In this era where transthoracic echocardiography is increasingly utilized to manage critically ill patients with cardiopulmonary compromise, we found transthoracic echocardiography to be a useful diagnostic tool in determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise when initial clinical assessment is limited. While both methods can be complementary to each other, bedside transthoracic echocardiography is an acceptable non-invasive alternative to right heart catheterization in determining the etiology of cardiopulmonary compromise in most critically ill patients when initial clinical assessment is limited.
Validation of a questionnaire on emotional eating for use in cases of obesity: the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ).

INTRODUCTION Emotions have a powerful effect on our choice of food and eating habits. It has been found that in some people there is relationship between eating, emotions and the increased energy intake. This relationship should be measurable to better understand how food is used to deal with certain mood states and how these emotions affect the effectiveness of weight loss programs. OBJECTIVE To develop and analyze the psychometric characteristics of a questionnaire on emotional eating for obesity easy to apply in clinical practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A ten-item questionnaire called Emotional-Eater-Questionnaire (EEQ) was developed and administered to a total of 354 subjects (body mass index, 31 ± 5), aged 39 ± 12, who were subjected to a weight-reduction program. The questionnaire was specifically designed for obesity. Analysis of the internal structure, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and convergent validity with Mindful-Eater-Questionnaire (MEQ) were conducted. RESULTS After principal components analysis, the questionnaire was classified in three different dimensions that explained 60% of the total variance: Disinhibition, Type-of-food and Guilt. Internal consistency showed that Cronbach's alpha was 0.773 for the "Dishinibition" subscale, 0.656 for the "Type of food" subscale and 0.612 for the "Guilt" subscale. The test-retest stability was r = 0.70. The data showed that the percentage of agreement between the EEQ and the MEQ was around 70% with a Kappa index of 0.40; P < 0.0001. CONCLUSION We have presented a new questionnaire, which classifies individuals as a function of the relation between food intake and emotions. Such information will permit personalized treatments to be designed by drawing up early strategies from the very beginning of treatment programmes.
Isolation of steroids from n-hexane extract of the leaves of Saurauia roxburghii

General phytochemical screening of the leaves of Saurauia roxburghii (Actinidiaceae) revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, O-glycosides, terpenoids, carbohydrates, steroids, reducing sugar, tannins, phlobatannins and saponin are present in this plant whereas cardiac glycosides are absent. Two steroid compounds were isolated from the n-hexane extract of the leaves from S. roxburghii. Based on the spectral evidence IR, 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR, structures were determined to be stigmasterol (1) and β-sitosterol (2) This is the first report so far of occurrence and details spectroscopic description of these compounds from S. roxburghii.
The Time Penalty: Examining the Relationship Between Time to Conviction and Trial vs. Plea Disparities in Sentencing

Although studies of sentencing routinely find that defendants who plead guilty receive relatively lenient sentences compared with similarly situated defendants convicted by trial, we have yet to fully understand the role of “mode of conviction” in the sentencing process. In particular, we know little about how the size of the disparity between guilty pleas and trial convictions may depend upon time in case processing, or the timing of pleas; that is, when during the process defendants plead guilty. This is a considerable issue, as “time” often is central to explanations given for plea-trial disparities. The current study examines this central, yet seldom empirically captured, dimension of the sentencing process. Using information gathered in an ancillary data collection effort operated under the supervision of the American Terrorism Study, we differentiate between the mode of conviction and time to conviction and explore the role of “time” in sentence severity, especially with regard to the plea-trial disparity. While consisting of defendants identified in connection with terrorism investigations, and sentenced in federal courts, our study takes advantages of a unique opportunity to isolate the effects of time from the mode of disposition and to explore time correlates of sentencing outcomes. In doing so, we raise important questions about the multiple ways in which time and mode of conviction may affect sentencing more generally and contribute to the larger theoretical discussions of how punishment decisions are made.