Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An attachment‐based model of therapeutic change processes in the treatment of personality disorder among male forensic inpatients

Purpose This study explores the processes of change during treatment among male forensic inpatients with primary diagnoses of personality disorder. Method Fifty patients in a high secure personality disorder treatment service completed a checklist about how they had changed during treatment and the factors that had caused that change. Results The results support a limited reparenting attachment-based model of therapeutic change. Self-reported levels of change were highly correlated with measures of patient functioning, though significant levels of change did not occur until the later stages of treatment. Conclusions The behaviour of therapists was particularly important throughout treatment, though participants in the final stage of therapy reported that the behaviour of other staff was as important as that of therapists, suggesting that, by this stage of treatment they are able to extend their range of supportive and therapeutic relationships.
Do children interpret ‘marked’ comparative adjectives as their opposites?

ABSTRACT Children aged 2;6–4;0 were asked questions containing comparative and superlative forms of adjectives from pairs designated as unmarked/marked or simply positive/negative. Children's answers required a choice of one out of five objects. Differences in frequency of correct responses were generally greater between unmarked/marked pairs than between simple positive/negative pairs, but the response of ‘greatest extent’ to marked adjective questions was seldom a significantly common error. Linguistic arguments for the unmarked/marked distinction in comparative adjectives are reviewed, and it is concluded that there is no linguistic or behavioural evidence for a marking explanation of children's difficulty with ‘marked’ comparative adjectives.
The in vivo effect of endothelins on retinal circulation in nondiabetic and diabetic rats.

PURPOSE The endothelins are potent vasoactive peptides. This study was performed to characterize the in vivo effects of the endothelin peptides on the retinal circulation in nondiabetic and diabetic rats. METHODS The video fluorescein angiography methodology was used to quantitate retinal hemodynamic responses to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) in rats. A total of 99 rats were used for these experiments. Video fluorescein angiography recordings were performed before and at different times after intravitreal injection of different concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3 in nondiabetic and diabetic rats. Vascular diameters and retinal circulation times were determined using computer-assisted image analysis of the recorded angiograms. RESULTS The maximal response to ET-1 was observed at 15 minutes after intravitreal injection and was maintained for as long as 30 minutes after injection. Subsequent data measured at 15 minutes after intravitreal injection showed significant prolongation of retinal circulation times and retinal artery constriction. For example, at a concentration of 10(-7) M, the retinal circulation time increased by 270% +/- 121% of the baseline value. In contrast, 10(-7) M ET-3 injection showed a 52% +/- 29.5% increase in circulation time compared to baseline. In diabetic animals, 10(-7) M ET-1 injection showed a blunted response (only 26% +/- 8% of baseline) compared to the same ET-1 injected concentration in nondiabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS The rat retinal circulation shows a pronounced retinal response to ET-1 intravitreal injection. The response to ET-3 is significantly less than it is to ET-1, and in diabetic animals there was also a significant blunting of the retinal response to ET-1. The blunted response to ET-3 is consistent with the lower affinity of retinal vessel ET-1 receptors to ET-3. The blunted ET-1 response in diabetic rats is consistent with previously reported results, demonstrating resistance to ET-1 action in retinal pericytes exposed to high glucose.
Entrepreneurial Orientation, Firm Performance, and the Moderating Role of Transformational Leadership Behaviors

Extant research has shown that entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is positively associated with firm performance, but several contingencies affect the strength of this relationship. This article uses insights from the resource-based view and upper echelons perspective to introduce top management’s transformational leadership behaviors as moderators in the EO–performance relationship. The theoretically derived model is tested using survey data obtained from 790 small-and medium-sized firms in six countries. Findings indicate that, regardless of national setting, four transformational behaviors—articulating a vision, providing an appropriate model, having high performance expectations, and showing supportive leader behavior—positively affect the relationship between EO and firm performance. Further, the performance consequences of EO are greater when top management adheres to a configuration characterized by the highest possible levels of transformational behaviors. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Oppositional Politics and the Internet: A Critical/Reconstructive Approach

We argue that the continued growth of the Internet, both as a form of mainstream media and as a tool for organizing democratic social interactions, requires that Internet politics be retheorized from a standpoint that is both critical and reconstructive. While we undertake an approach that is critical of corporate forms and hegemonic uses of the Internet, we advocate for new software developments such as blogs and trace the oppositional deployments of the Internet made by a wide variety of groups in the cause of progressive cultural and political struggle. In this regard, we describe how the Internet has facilitated the worldwide emergence of the anti-globalization, anti-war and anti-capitalism movements, even as it has coalesced local communities and groups, and so we conclude that the future of Internet politics must be thought dialectically as both global and local. We end by noting the relevance of the ideas of Guy Debord, with his focus on the construction of situations, the use of technology, media of communication and cultural forms to promote a revolution of everyday life.
The nature of the outflow in gamma-ray bursts

The Swift satellite has enabled us to follow the evolution of gamma-ray burst (GRB) fireballs from the prompt γ-ray emission to the afterglow phase. The early-time X-ray and optical data for GRBs obtained by telescopes aboard the Swift satellite show that the source for prompt γ-ray emission, the emission that heralds these bursts, is short lived, and is distinct from the source for the long-lived afterglow emission that follows the initial burst. Using these data we determine the distance of the γ-ray source from the centre of the explosion. We find this distance to be 10 15 -10 16 cm for most bursts, and show that this is within a factor of about 10 of the radius of the shock heated circumstellar medium (CSM) producing the X-ray photons. Furthermore, using the early γ-ray, X-ray and optical data we show that the prompt gamma-ray emission cannot be produced in internal shocks nor can it be produced in the external shock; in a more general sense γ-ray generation mechanisms based on shock physics have problems explaining the GRB data for ten Swift bursts analyzed in this work. A magnetic field dominated outflow model for GRBs has a number of attractive features, althoug h evidence in its favour is inconclusive. Finally, the X-ray and optical data allow us to provide an upper limit on the density of the CSM of about 10 protons cmr 3 at a distance of ~5 × 10 16 cm from the centre of explosion. © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 RAS.
In Vitro Activities of Ampicillin-Sulbactam and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid against Acinetobacter baumannii

ABSTRACT In vitro susceptibility patterns of newer β-lactamase-inhibiting antibiotics ampicillin-sulbactam (A/S) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (A/C) for 100 consecutive isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii obtained from various clinical samples were studied. The A/C MIC for 86% of the strains was more than 16/8 μg/ml, whereas there was an A/S MIC of more than 16/8 μg/ml for only 38% of the strains. This showed that A/S has significantly superior in vitro activity compared to A/C against A. baumannii, although, theoretically, both should have similar activities. The therapeutic superiority of A/S over A/C needs to be studied, or else the breakpoints for these agents in in vitro tests need to be redefined.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Unusual Experiences in Children: A Case Series

Background: Over half of children in the general population report unusual or “psychotic-like” experiences (PLEs). The development of a later at-risk mental state is associated with persistent, distressing, PLEs, which are appraised negatively and hard to cope with. We have designed a novel, manualized, cognitive behavioural intervention for children aged 9 to 14 years, which aims to reduce emotional problems, improve coping and resilience, and help children manage PLEs, before an identifiable psychosis risk develops. We report on the feasibility, acceptability and clinical impact of the intervention. Method: Four children who reported PLEs and emotional problems in a community survey completed the intervention, and gave detailed feedback. Clinical outcomes were assessed before, during, and after therapy. Results: Emotional problems, PLE frequency, and PLE impact all decreased during the intervention. Child and therapist satisfaction with the treatment was high. Conclusions: It is feasible, acceptable and helpful to offer psychological interventions to children who report emotional distress and PLEs, prior to the emergence of clear risk factors. Our intervention has the potential to increase resilience to the development of future mental health problems. A larger, randomized controlled evaluation is underway.
Intraprostatic botulinum toxin type A injection for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Initial experience with Dysport™

Abstract Objective. To evaluate the effect of intraprostatic botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA, Dysport™) injection on lower urinary tract symptoms, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), peak urine flow rate (Qmax) and postvoiding residue (PVR), and to evaluate the role of PV in the treatment outcome. Material and methods. Seventy-two men with PSA < 4 ng/ml, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 8, Qmax < 12 ml/s and PV < 60 ml were enrolled. A total of 300–600 U Dysport was injected transperineally under transrectal ultrasound guidance. Initial IPSS, quality of life (QoL) score, Qmax and PVR were compared with their measures at 1, 6 and 12 months after the injection. Initial PSA and PV were compared with their values after 6 months. Parameters were also compared between patients with PV ≤ 30 ml and those with PV > 30 ml. Results. The mean age of participants was 63.5 years. At follow-up sessions, IPSS and QoL score were significantly decreased (p < 0.001). PVR reduced significantly and Qmax increased considerably (p < 0.001). PSA and PV substantially decreased after 6 months (p < 0.001). No serious complications were reported. Similar to patients with larger prostates, IPSS and QoL score decreased statistically significantly after 12 months in those with PV ≤ 30 ml; however, changes in PV, PSA, PVR and Qmax did not persist during 12 months' follow-up. Conclusions. The procedure is safe and efficacious and the results are comparable to previous experiences with Botox®. It seems that the toxin efficacy depends directly on PV in prostates < 60 ml.
Access to peginterferon plus ribavirin therapy for hepatitis C in Romania between 2002-2009.

BACKGROUND An overall prevalence rate of HCV infection in Romanian adult population was recently estimated to be 3.23%. The proportion of treated patients with chronic hepatitis C in our country has never been assessed. AIMS 1) to analyze the quality and quantity of antiviral therapy delivery; 2) to determine the proportion of patients being annually and ever treated with antiviral therapy in Romania and 3) to identify barriers against treatment of HCV infected-population in Romania. RESULTS The number of annually treated patients remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007 (1,813 patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in 2002 and 2,446 in 2007). There was a doubled increase in reimbursed treatment in 2008 and 2009 (4,503 and respectively 4,701 treated patients) due to a special campaign organized to increase awareness and prevention of HCV transmission. The median time to therapy approval varies from county to county; overall it is 10.23 months. A total number of 25,318 patients with chronic C hepatitis were treated between 2002-2009, corresponding to a cumulative proportion of 4.1% of the prevalent cases of HCV infection treated in Romania until 1st January 2010. The main limiting factor of access to antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in Romania remains the lack of funds. CONCLUSIONS This is the first analysis of the nationwide practice for treatment of hepatitis C in Romania. Increased public health efforts are required to improve access to antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in Romania.
Influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine in juvenile dermatomyositis: reduced immunogenicity in patients under immunosuppressive therapy.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present paper is to assess the influence of demographic, muscle enzymes, JDM scores and treatment on non-adjuvanted influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine immunogenicity in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) patients. METHODS Thirty JDM patients and 81 healthy age-matched controls were vaccinated. All participants were evaluated pre- and 21 days post-vaccination and serology for anti-H1N1 was performed by haemagglutination inhibition assay. Muscle enzymes, JDM scores and treatment were evaluated before and after vaccination. Adverse events were reported. RESULTS After immunisation, seroconversion rates were significantly lower in JDM patients compared to age-matched controls (86.7 vs. 97.5%, p=0.044), whereas seroprotection (p=0.121), geometric mean titres (GMT) (p=0.992) and factor increase (FI) in GMT (p=0.827) were similar in both groups. Clinical and laboratorial evaluations revealed that JDM scores and muscle enzymes remained stable throughout the study (p>0.05). A higher frequency of chronic course was observed in non-seroconverted compared to seroconverted (100% vs. 27%, p=0.012). Regarding treatment, a lower rate of seroconversion was observed in patients under prednisone>20mg/day (50% vs. 4%, p=0.039), and in those treated with a combination of prednisone, methotrexate and cyclosporine (50% vs. 4%, p=0.039). Local and systemic vaccine adverse events were mild and similar in patients and controls (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study identified that chronic course and immunosuppressive therapy are the major factors hampering seroconversion in JDM, suggesting that a specific protocol may be required for this subgroup of patients. In spite of that, a single dose of non-adjuvanted influenza A/H1N1 2009 vaccine was generally seroprotective in this disease with no evident deleterious effect in disease itself (ClinicalTrials.gov, no. NCT01151644).
Changes in the Lipid Profile of Elite Basketball and Soccer Players After a Match

Abstract The lipid profile of elite basketball and soccer athletes was evaluated and compared with that of inactive individuals. Total cholesterol (T-C), low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) concentration were measured in the morning and after a soccer or a basketball match. All parameters of lipid profile measured at a fasted and resting state, except HDL-C, were lower in the athletes compared with the controls (p < 0.01). The soccer match resulted in a greater decrease in TG (78.3 ± 6.7 to 70.7 ± 6.3, p < 0.01), T-C (179.3 ± 10.7 to 171.6 ± 9.6, p < 0.01), LDL-C (110.9 ± 8.9 to 103.5 ± 7.5, p < 0.01) compared with the basketball match that resulted only in a decrease in LDL-C (126.8 ± 9.5 to 117.3 ± 9.1, p < 0.01) and an increase in HDL-C that was similar to that observed after the soccer match (9–12%). These findings support the beneficial effects of basketball and soccer on cardiovascular health.
How virtuous is humor? What we can learn from current instruments

Despite the diverse philosophical accounts of the relation of humor to virtue or vice, this ethical dimension has not been included explicitly in psychological humor instruments. Yet, behavior described in humor questionnaires covering a broad variety of components can be used to study an implicit relation of humor to vices and virtues. The main aim of the present paper was (1) to find humorous behavior and attitudes representing virtues and vices within an item pool of 12 popular humor questionnaires; and (2) to investigate the nature of the virtues represented by their item contents. A comprehensive measure of humor covered the entire range from virtue to vice, with the majority of items evaluated as neutral. Humanity and wisdom were most strongly represented, but the items cover all six core virtues (Dahlsgaard, 2004) to varying degrees. Further research can now investigate the relationship of humor and individual virtues more closely.
Beliefs about stressors alter stressors’ impact: Evidence from two experience-sampling studies

Participants from two samples (n = 31 human resources staff, n = 36 teachers) rated the extent to which they believed varying levels of a pre-defined stressor influenced positive affect, negative affect, and work performance. Participants then carried personal digital assistants for five working days, and provided data on levels of the pre-defined stressor and on momentary negative and positive affect. For both samples, momentary negative affect was more strongly associated with stressors for those participants who believed stressors caused them to feel greater negative affect. For both samples too, the association between participants’ momentary negative affect and average levels of stressors across the working week was moderated by beliefs concerning stressors’ impact on work performance.
Gender Stereotyping in Family

Gender stereotyping and gender role development is one of the debatable concerns to sociologists especially those who are interested in sociology of gender. This study attempts to investigate the role of family inculcating gender stereotyping in Pakhtun culture and its impact on gender role development conducted in public-sector universities of Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The data were collected through in-depth interview method using interview guide as a tool of data collection. A sample size of 24 respondents consisting male and female students and teachers (8 samples from each university through purposive sampling technique) was selected from three universities in the region, that is, University of Malakand, University of Swat, and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sharingal (main campus). The collected information has been analyzed qualitatively where primary information has been linked with secondary data for further elaboration and attainment of grounded facts. The study reveals that gender stereotyping and gender role formation are sociocultural and relational constructs, which are developed and inculcated in the institutional network, social interaction, and social relationships especially in family. The study indicated that in family sphere, gender stereotyping and gender role formation are the outcome of gender socialization, differential familial environment, and parents’ differential role with children. The study recommends that gender-balanced familial environment, adopting the strategy of gender mainstreaming and positive role of media, can overcome gender stereotyping and reduce its impacts on gender and social role formation.
Making arm movements within different parts of space: the premotor and motor cortical representation of a coordinate system for reaching to visual targets

The activity of 156 individual arm-related neurons was studied in the premotor cortex (area 6) while monkeys made arm movements of similar directions within different parts of 3-dimensional space. This study was aimed at describing the relationship between premotor cortical cell activity and direction of arm movement and assessing the coordinate system underlying this relationship. We found that the activity of 152 (97.4%) cells varied in an orderly fashion with the direction of movement, in at least some region of the work space. Premotor cortical cells fired most for a given preferred direction and less for other directions of movement. These preferred directions covered the directional continuum in a uniform fashion across the work space. It was found that, as movements of similar directions were made within different parts of the work space, the cells' preferred directions changed their orientation. Although these changes had different magnitudes for different cells, at the population level, they followed closely the changes in orientation of the arm necessary to move the hand from one to another part of the work space. This shift of cells' preferred direction with the orientation of the arm in space has been observed with similar characteristics in the motor cortex (see Caminiti et al., 1990). In both premotor and motor cortices, neuronal movement population vectors provide a good description of movement direction. Unlike the individual cell preferred directions upon which they are based, movement population vectors did not change their spatial orientation across the work space, suggesting that they remain good predictors of movement direction regardless of the region of space in which movements are made. The firing frequency of both premotor and motor cortical neurons varied significantly with the position occupied by the hand in space. These static positional effects were observed in 88.5% of premotor and 91.8% of motor cortical cells. In a second task, monkeys made movements from differing origins to a common end point. This task was performed within 3 different parts of space and was aimed at dissociating movement direction from movement end point. It was found that in both premotor and motor cortices virtually all cells were related to the direction and not to the end point of movement. These data suggest that premotor and motor cortices use common mechanisms for coding arm movement direction. They also provide a basis for understanding the coordinate transformation required to move the hand toward visual targets in space.
Physical and Cognitive Activity and Exercise for Older Adults: A Review

Age-related reduction in musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and central nervous system resilience can result in wide-ranging limitations in adaptive capacity associated with negative outcomes such as cognitive decline, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, mobility problems, and increased incidence of debilitating falls. This article reviews the benefits of both cognitive and physical activity within the broad context of multiple system resilience in adult aging. Research on a unique form of combined physical/cognitive exercise, Tai Chi Chuan, is presented. The relationship between physiological and psychological gain associated with an activity intervention program is discussed in light of principles of rehabilitation, intervention compliance, subjective and objective gain, and the hypothesized value of combining physical exercise, cognitive exercise, and relaxation into a single program designed to promote resilience in older adults.