Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of 8- and 4-Session Mindfulness-Based Interventions in a Non-clinical Population: A Controlled Study

Background: Many attempts have been made to abbreviate mindfulness programmes in order to make them more accessible for general and clinical populations while maintaining their therapeutic components and efficacy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) programme and a 4-week abbreviated version for the improvement of well-being in a non-clinical population. Method: A quasi-experimental, controlled, pilot study was conducted with pre-post and 6-month follow-up measurements and three study conditions (8- and 4-session MBI programmes and a matched no-treatment control group, with a sample of 48, 46, and 47 participants in each condition, respectively). Undergraduate students were recruited, and mindfulness, positive and negative affect, self-compassion, resilience, anxiety, and depression were assessed. Mixed-effects multi-level analyses for repeated measures were performed. Results: The intervention groups showed significant improvements compared to controls in mindfulness and positive affect at the 2- and 6-month follow-ups, with no differences between 8- vs. 4-session programmes. The only difference between the abbreviated MBI vs. the standard MBI was found in self-kindness at 6 months, favoring the standard MBI. There were marginal differences in anxiety between the controls vs. the abbreviated MBI, but there were differences between the controls vs. the standard MBI at 2- and 6-months, with higher levels in the controls. There were no differences in depression between the controls vs. the abbreviated MBI, but differences were found between the controls vs. the standard MBI at 2- and 6-months, favoring the standard MBI. There were no differences with regard to negative affect and resilience. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to directly investigate the efficacy of a standard 8-week MBI and a 4-week abbreviated protocol in the same population. Based on our findings, both programmes performed better than controls, with similar effect size (ES). The efficacy of abbreviated mindfulness programmes may be similar to that of a standard MBI programme, making them potentially more accessible for a larger number of populations. Nevertheless, further studies with more powerful designs to compare the non-inferiority of the abbreviated protocol and addressing clinical populations are warranted. Clinical Trials.gov Registration ID: NCT02643927
OPTIMAL OPERATION OF A 30kW NATURAL GAS MICROTURBINE CLUSTER

Această lucrare pune in discuţie diferite strategii pentru optimizarea regimului de funcţionare a unui grup de microturbine pe gaz natural având o putere nominală de 30kW, in cazul unor aplicaţii de tip” load-following”. Operarea microturbinelor in grup asigură o bună flexibilitate insă ridică si problema funcţionării la nivele intermediare de incărcare. Aceasta presupune emisii foarte mari de NOx si CO. In aceste condiţii, a fost folosit Algoritmul Evolutiv pentru a optimiza operarea acestui grup din punct de vedere al emisiilor poluante si al consumul de combustibil. This paper discusses optimal operation strategies of a 30 kW natural gas microturbine (MT) cluster for electrical load-following applications. The cluster operation assures a good operational flexibility, but, at the same time, also the aspect of the partial-load MT characteristics, in terms of energy efficiency and pollutant emissions has to be taken into consideration. In particular, the experimental results show that the NOx and CO emissions are higher when the MT is operated below its rated capacity. Under these circumstances, the Evolutionary Algorithm has been employed in order to optimize the operation of this cluster from the point of view of the pollutant emissions and fuel consumption.
Homophily in an Anonymous Online Community: Sociodemographic Versus Personality Traits

In what traits do people interact with others who are similar to them in completely anonymous online communication? Can those traits contribute to greater exchange of opinion and information across the sociodemographic boundaries that often limit interaction between social strata? To answer this question concerning online homophily, we combined survey data on 7,287 users (aged 18 and above) of a Korean online dating advice platform with their behavioral data from June 2015 to August 2015 and explored whether advice exchange occurred between users with similar sociodemographic and personality traits. On this platform, two types of interactions occurred as follows: (1) responses to a randomly distributed problem submitted by an advice seeker and (2) the seeker's indication of approval of any of the responses given. The study found that (1) a receiver was more likely to respond to problems submitted by seekers of a comparable age and that (2) seekers were more likely to approve of a response if the seeker and receiver had similar educational backgrounds. By contrast, homophily based on personality traits was not observed even though some personality traits significantly affected the likelihood of both response and approval. Our findings suggest that online communication may breed sociodemographic homophily, whether based on age or education, more than expected or intended while not easily fostering alternative forms of homophily, such as personality homophily, which can potentially cut across borders dividing sociodemographic groups.
Stress and coping mechanisms among adolescents living in orphanages: An experience from Klang Valley, Malaysia

Health issues often differ from one population to another. Assessing different aspects of the health condition is a vital step toward developing and designing appropriate prevention and treatment programs to reduce health problems in any group or population. This study aimed to assess both the prevalence of stress and the coping mechanisms as well as identify the predictors of stress levels among adolescents in Malaysian orphanages.
Patterns of Palliative Care Referral in Patients Admitted With Heart Failure Requiring Mechanical Ventilation

Background: Palliative care is recommended for advanced heart failure (HF) by several major societies, though prior studies indicate that it is underutilized. Aim: To investigate patterns of palliative care referral for patients admitted with HF exacerbations, as well as to examine patient and hospital factors associated with different rates of palliative care referral. Design: Retrospective nationwide cohort analysis utilizing the National Inpatient Sample from 2006 to 2012. Patients referred to palliative care were compared to those who were not. Setting/Participants: Patients ≥18 years of age with a primary diagnosis of HF requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) were included. A cohort of non-HF patients with metastatic cancer was created for temporal comparison. Results: Between 2006 and 2012, 74 824 patients underwent MV for HF. A referral to palliative care was made in 2903 (3.9%) patients. The rate of referral for palliative care in HF increased from 0.8% in 2006 to 6.4% in 2012 (P < .01). In comparison, rate of palliative care referral in patients with cancer increased from 2.9% in 2006 to 11.9% in 2012 (P < .01). In a multivariate logistic regression model, higher socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with increased access to palliative care (P < .01). Racial differences were also observed in rates of referral to palliative care. Conclusion: The use of palliative care for patients with advanced HF increased during the study period; however, palliative care remains underutilized in this setting. Patient factors such as race and SES affect access to palliative care.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Breast: A Clinical Case Report

Introduction: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an uncommon tumor of the breast, accounting for approximately 0.1% to 1% of all breast cancers. It is characterized by rare lymph node involvement and distant metastasis, and associated with a favorable prognosis with excellent survival, despite its triple-negative status. In the current state of knowledge, results of breast-conserving treatment with postoperative radiotherapy seem to be equivalent to mastectomy alone, with respect to survival for ACC of the breast. Due to its rarity, there is no consensus on optimal treatment for patients with ACC. Otherwise, the role of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy remains controversial. Further clinical studies are required to compare treatment options for ACC. But, a long-term follow-up is very important and mandatory for affected patients, due to the late onset of local relapse and occurrence of distant metastasis. Case report: Here, we report the case of a patient who presented with a palpable breast mass in the left breast that turned out to be an ACC of the breast.
Optimal tuning of PID+PD controller by PFS for Gantry Crane System

This paper presents a combination of the Priority Fitness Scheme (PFS) and optimization techniques to find the optimal performances of the Gantry Crane System. Control algorithm that based on the PFS will be designed and used as fitness function in PSO and BPSO. PFS are prioritized based on Steady State Error (SSE), Overshoot (OS) and Settling Time (Ts) according to the requirements. The system model is derived using the Lagrange equation and PID+PD controller is developed for positioning and oscillation control. System responses, including trolley displacement and payload oscillation are observed and analyzed. It is expected the optimal load transfers offer significant time saving with limited swing and smooth motions via PFPSO and PFBPSO.
Interventions Highlighting Hypocrisy Reduce Collective Blame of Muslims for Individual Acts of Violence and Assuage Anti-Muslim Hostility

Collectively blaming groups for the actions of individuals can license vicarious retribution. Acts of terrorism by Muslim extremists against innocents, and the spikes in anti-Muslim hate crimes against innocent Muslims that follow, suggest that reciprocal bouts of collective blame can spark cycles of violence. How can this cycle be short-circuited? After establishing a link between collective blame of Muslims and anti-Muslim attitudes and behavior, we used an “interventions tournament” to identify a successful intervention (among many that failed). The “winning” intervention reduced collective blame of Muslims by highlighting hypocrisy in the ways individuals collectively blame Muslims—but not other groups (White Americans, Christians)—for individual group members’ actions. After replicating the effect in an independent sample, we demonstrate that a novel interactive activity that isolates the psychological mechanism amplifies the effectiveness of the collective blame hypocrisy intervention and results in downstream reductions in anti-Muslim attitudes and anti-Muslim behavior.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodule smaller than 1.0 cm: accuracy of TIRADS classification system in more than 1000 nodules.

OBJECTIVE To identify whether or not the same ultrasound features can be applied and should be considered to support the decision as to which subcentimeter nodules should be biopsied with fine needle aspiration (FNAB). METHODS Single-institution, IRB approved, retrospective study conducted from 2008 to 2016 that evaluated 1094 thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm that were classified according to TIRADS and submitted for FNAB. RESULTS The value of FNAB of thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm were assessed and correlated with the sonographic criteria by comparing the obtained results with the cytological findings in 1094 thyroid nodules. In the analysis considering all nodules, the proportion of malignancies among nodules with TIRADS 2 is 0.91% and for TIRADS 3 is 2.87%. Among those classified as 4A, 12.26%; with 4B classification, 34.43%; with 4C classification, 66.6%; and among those with 5 classifications, 85.7%. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the TIRADS classification system, based on the sonographic features reported herein, may help detect which nodules should be investigated for potential malignancies. Advances in knowledge: Few reports compare the efficacy of ultrasound-FNAB for thyroid nodules smaller than 1.0 cm in diameter. The findings of malignancy in this subgroup of nodules may help in the clinical follow-up of which patients should be submitted to an early imaging evaluation or intervention.
Leucine-rich repeat kinase-1 regulates osteoclast function by modulating RAC1/Cdc42 Small GTPase phosphorylation and activation

Leucine-rich repeat kinase-1 (Lrrk1) consists of ankyrin repeats (ANK), leucine-rich repeats (LRR), a GTPase-like domain of Roc (ROC), a COR domain, a serine/threonine kinase domain (KD), and WD40 repeats (WD40). Previous studies have revealed that knockout (KO) of Lrrk1 in mice causes severe osteopetrosis, and a human mutation of Lrrk1 leads to osteosclerotic metaphysial dysplasia. The molecular mechanism by which Lrrk1 regulates osteoclast function is unknown. In this study, we generated a series of Lrrk1 mutants and evaluated their ability to rescue defective bone resorption in Lrrk1-deficient osteoclasts by use of pit formation assays. Overexpression of Lrrk1 or LRR-truncated Lrrk1, but not ANK-truncated Lrrk1, WD40-truncated Lrrk1, Lrrk1-KD, or K651A mutant Lrrk1, rescued bone resorption function of Lrrk1 KO osteoclasts. We next examined whether RAC1/Cdc42 small GTPases are direct substrates of Lrrk1 in osteoclasts. Western blot and pull-down assays revealed that Lrrk1 deficiency in osteoclasts resulted in reduced phosphorylation and activation of RAC1/Cdc42. In vitro kinase assays confirmed that recombinant Lrrk1 phosphorylated RAC1-GST protein, and immunoprecipitation showed that the interaction of Lrrk1 with RAC1 occurred within 10 min after RANKL treatment. Overexpression of constitutively active Q61L RAC1 partially rescued the resorptive function of Lrrk1-deficient osteoclasts. Furthermore, lack of Lrrk1 in osteoclasts led to reduced autophosphorylation of p21 protein-activated kinase-1 at Ser144, catalyzed by RAC1/Cdc42 binding and activation. Our data indicate that Lrrk1 regulates osteoclast function by directly modulating phosphorylation and activation of small GTPase RAC1/Cdc42 and that its function depends on ANK, ROC, WD40, and kinase domains.
Genetic risk variants for social anxiety

Social anxiety is a neurobehavioral trait characterized by fear and reticence in social situations. Twin studies have shown that social anxiety has a heritable basis, shared with neuroticism and extraversion, but genetic studies have yet to demonstrate robust risk variants. We conducted genomewide association analysis (GWAS) of subjects within the Army Study To Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS) to (i) determine SNP‐based heritability of social anxiety; (ii) discern genetic risk loci for social anxiety; and (iii) determine shared genetic risk with neuroticism and extraversion. GWAS were conducted within ancestral groups (EUR, AFR, LAT) using linear regression models for each of the three component studies in Army STARRS, and then meta‐analyzed across studies. SNP‐based heritability for social anxiety was significant (h2g = 0.12, P = 2.17 × 10−4 in EUR). One meta‐analytically genomewide significant locus was seen in each of EUR (rs708012, Chr 6: BP 36965970, P = 1.55 × 10−8; beta = 0.073) and AFR (rs78924501, Chr 1: BP 88406905, P = 3.58 × 10−8; beta = 0.265) samples. Social anxiety in Army STARRS was significantly genetically correlated (negatively) with extraversion (rg = −0.52, se = 0.22, P = 0.02) but not with neuroticism (rg = 0.05, se = 0.22, P = 0.81) or with an anxiety disorder factor score (rg = 0.02, se = 0.32, P = 0.94) from external GWAS meta‐analyses. This first GWAS of social anxiety confirms a genetic basis for social anxiety, shared with extraversion but possibly less so with neuroticism. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi-stage planning of active distribution networks considering the co-optimization of operation strategies

This paper presents a multi-stage and multi-load-scenario Active Distribution Network (ADN) expansion planning model. The proposed model considers the applications of new distributed generation (DG) and construction of feeders at the planning level, and the utilization of DG supply and topology reconfiguration of distribution network (DN) including microgrid at the operation level. The proposed co-optimization model incorporates both investment and operation costs of ADN in the objective function. The ADN operation at each time stage is divided into several scenarios based on the load forecast data, in which the optimal reconfiguration of the ADN topology and the power output of DG units are calculated. The co-optimization considers investment decisions at each planning stage and operation strategies at each ADN loading scenario. The benefits of introducing DG and network construction as planning options, and DG supply and network reconfiguration as operation strategies, are discussed. The effectiveness of the proposed co-optimization of investment-operation is demonstrated using the numerical results.
Outcome of patients older than 80 years with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with “standard” immunochemotherapy: A large retrospective study from 4 institutions

Little information is available on the very elderly patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We performed a retrospective analysis of 281 patients >80 years old with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated in 4 referral institutions in Switzerland and Northern Italy. Primary end points were overall survival, progression‐free survival, and cause‐specific survival. Systemic chemotherapy was given to 239 patients, and 119 of them received rituximab in their initial treatment. At a median follow‐up of 5.5 years, 5‐year progression‐free survival was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20‐32%), 5‐year overall survival was 31% (95% CI, 25‐37%), and 5‐year cause‐specific survival was 48% (95% CI, 41‐55%) for the entire cohort. Rituximab and/or anthracyclines as part of initial treatment were associated with improved outcome. Cause‐specific survival in patients receiving both agents approximated 60% at 5 years. At multivariate analysis, rituximab use maintained a significant prognostic impact after controlling for age, performance status, stage, haemoglobin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. The International Prognostic Index as well as the more recently proposed revised‐International Prognostic Index and National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network–International Prognostic Index could discriminate patients with significantly different outcomes. Albeit very elderly and potentially frail, there may be a potential for cure in fit DLBCL patients ≥80 years old. Accurate selection of patients able to tolerate proper immunochemotherapy is crucial.
Monotonic single‐index models to assess drug interactions

Although single‐index models have been extensively studied, the monotonicity of the link function f in the single‐index model is rarely studied. In many situations, it is desirable that f is monotonic, which results in a monotonic single‐index model that can be very useful in economics and biometrics. In this article, we propose a monotonic single‐index model in which the link function is constructed using penalized I‐splines along with constraints on coefficients to achieve monotonicity of the link function f. An algorithm to estimate the single‐index parameters and the link function is developed, and the sandwich estimate of the variance of the index parameters is provided. We propose to apply this monotonic single‐index model to estimate the dose–response surface and assess drug interactions while considering the variability of the observed data. An extensive simulation study was carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed monotonic single‐index model. A case study is provided to illustrate the application of the proposed model to estimate the dose–response surface and assess drug interactions. Both the simulation and case study show that the proposed monotonic single‐index model works very well. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monoamniotic monochorionic twins discordant for noncompaction cardiomyopathy

Occasionally “identical twins” are phenotypically different, raising the question of zygosity and the issue of genetic versus environmental influences during development. We recently noted monochorionic‐monoamniotic twins, one of which had an isolated cardiac abnormality, noncompaction cardiomyopathy, a condition characterized by cardiac ventricular hypertrabeculation. We examined the prenatal course and subsequent pathologic correlation since ventricular morphogenesis may depend on early muscular contraction and blood flow. The monochorionic‐monoamniotic female twin pair was initially identified since one fetus presented with increased nuchal translucency. Complete heart block was later identified in the fetus with nuchal translucency who did not survive after delivery. In contrast, the unaffected twin had normal cardiac studies both prenatally and postnatally. Pathologic analysis of the affected twin demonstrated noncompaction of the left ventricle with dysplasia of the aortic and pulmonary valves. Dissection of the cardiac conduction system disclosed atrioventricular bundle fibrosis. Maternal lupus studies, amniocentesis with karyotype, and studies for 22q11.2 were normal. To test for zygosity, we performed multiple STR marker analysis and found that all markers were shared even using nonblood tissues from the affected twin. These studies demonstrate that monozygotic twins that are monochorionic monoamniotic can be discordant for cardiac noncompaction. The results suggest further investigation into the potential roles of pathologic fibrosis, contractility, and blood flow in cardiac ventricle development. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between lipoxin A4 and interleukin‐12 in gingival crevicular fluid: a preliminary investigation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The balance between host proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune responses is a key determinant for the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study aimed to explore the possibility of an association between lipoxin A4 and interleukin-12 in chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-five patients with chronic periodontitis and 45 periodontally healthy patients were included in this case-control study. Plaque index, calculus index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, full-mouth probing depth and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected and analysed for interleukin-12 and lipoxin A4 using ELISA. RESULTS The mean concentration of lipoxin A4 was lower in the periodontitis group compared with the periodontally healthy group. There was a negative correlation between interleukin-12 and lipoxin A4 in both groups. There was a negative correlation between clinical attachment loss and lipoxin A4, and a positive correlation between clinical attachment loss and interleukin-12. However, the correlations were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS The mean interleukin-12 concentration was significantly higher in gingival crevicular fluid from patients with periodontitis than in that from with healthy patients, and the mean lipoxin A4 concentration was lower in patients with periodontitis than in healthy patients. Lipoxin A4 possibly has an inhibitory effect on interleukin-12.