Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Individual Addiction Counseling for Co-occurring Substance Use and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders

Objective: Co-occurring posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and substance use disorders provide clinical challenges to addiction treatment providers. Interventions are needed that are effective, well-tolerated by patients, and capable of being delivered by typical clinicians in community settings. This is a randomized controlled trial of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders. Methods: Fifty-three participants sampled from seven community addiction treatment programs were randomized to integrated cognitive behavioral therapy plus standard care or individual addiction counseling plus standard care. Fourteen community therapists employed by these programs delivered both manual-guided therapies. Primary outcomes were PTSD symptoms, substance use symptoms, and therapy retention. Participants were assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-month follow-up. Results: Integrated cognitive behavioral therapy was more effective than individual addiction counseling in reducing PTSD re-experiencing symptoms and PTSD diagnosis. Individual addiction counseling was comparably effective to integrated cognitive behavioral therapy in substance use outcomes and on other measures of psychiatric symptom severity. Participants assigned to individual addiction counseling with severe PTSD were less likely to initiate and engage in the therapy than those assigned to integrated cognitive behavioral therapy. In general, participants with severe PTSD were more likely to benefit from integrated cognitive behavioral therapy. Conclusions: The findings support the promise of efficacy of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy in improving outcomes for persons in addiction treatment with PTSD. Community counselors delivered both interventions with satisfactory adherence and competence. Despite several limitations to this research, a larger randomized controlled trial of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy appears to be warranted.
ALMA OBSERVATIONS OF SPT-DISCOVERED, STRONGLY LENSED, DUSTY, STAR-FORMING GALAXIES

We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 860 μm imaging of four high-redshift (z = 2.8–5.7) dusty sources that were detected using the South Pole Telescope (SPT) at 1.4 mm and are not seen in existing radio to far-infrared catalogs. At 1. ″5 resolution, the ALMA data reveal multiple images of each submillimeter source, separated by 1″–3″, consistent with strong lensing by intervening galaxies visible in near-IR imaging of these sources. We describe a gravitational lens modeling procedure that operates on the measured visibilities and incorporates self-calibration-like antenna phase corrections as part of the model optimization, which we use to interpret the source structure. Lens models indicate that SPT0346-52, located at z = 5.7, is one of the most luminous and intensely star-forming sources in the universe with a lensing corrected FIR luminosity of 3.7 × 1013 L☉ and star formation surface density of 4200 M☉ yr−1 kpc−2. We find magnification factors of 5 to 22, with lens Einstein radii of 1. ″1–2. ″0 and Einstein enclosed masses of 1.6–7.2 × 1011 M☉. These observations confirm the lensing origin of these objects, allow us to measure their intrinsic sizes and luminosities, and demonstrate the important role that ALMA will play in the interpretation of lensed submillimeter sources.
Efficient PRNP deletion in bovine genome using gene-editing technologies in bovine cells

abstract Even though prion (encoded by the PRNP gene) diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) are fatal neurodegenerative diseases in cattle, their study via gene deletion has been limited due to the absence of cell lines or mutant models. In this study, we aim to develop an immortalized fibroblast cell line in which genome-engineering technology can be readily applied to create gene-modified clones for studies. To this end, this study is designed to 1) investigate the induction of primary fibroblasts to immortalization by introducing Bmi-1 and hTert genes; 2) investigate the disruption of the PRNP in those cells; and 3) evaluate the gene expression and embryonic development using knockout (KO) cell lines. Primary cells from a male neonate were immortalized with Bmi-1and hTert. Immortalized cells were cultured for more than 180 days without any changes in their doubling time and morphology. Furthermore, to knockout the PRNP gene, plasmids that encode transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) pairs were transfected into the cells, and transfected single cells were propagated. Mutated clonal cell lines were confirmed by T7 endonuclease I assay and sequencing. Four knockout cell lines were used for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and the resulting embryos were developed to the blastocyst stage. The genes (CSNK2A1, FAM64A, MPG and PRND) were affected after PRNP disruption in immortalized cells. In conclusion, we established immortalized cattle fibroblasts using Bmi-1 and hTert genes, and used TALENs to knockout the PRNP gene in these immortalized cells. The efficient PRNP KO is expected to be a useful technology to develop our understanding of in vitro prion protein functions in cattle.
An in vitro study to determine the effectiveness of a patellar ligament/fascia lata graft and new tibial suture anchor points for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle in the dog.

OBJECTIVE (1) To determine whether an extracapsular patellar ligament/fascia lata graft would provide stability in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle comparable with that of the intact stifle. (2) To determine if different tibial anchor points would enhance stability of the CrCLdeficient stifle when compared with the standard fabellar-tibial suture (FTS) placement. STUDY DESIGN Experimental. ANIMALS Twenty-eight canine cadaver hind limbs. METHODS Stifles were mounted in a jig and tested between loads of -65 and 80 N. After testing the intact CrCL, 4 stabilization techniques were tested after CrCL transection: lateral graft technique (LGT) and 3 FTS with different tibial anchor points. RESULTS There were no significant differences in displacement between the LGT and standard FTS, between the LGT and the intact CrCL, or between the FTS and the intact CrCL, in either the Securos or the Screw-washer experiments. Stiffness of the intact CrCL was significantly greater than that of any stabilization technique and the cut CrCL. The standard FTS showed the least displacement of all suture stabilization techniques. Differences in stiffness were not significant between the suture stabilization techniques. CONCLUSIONS Securely anchored, the LGT results in a reduction in drawer motion similar to that of the intact CrCL and the standard FTS. Altering the tibial anchor point for the FTS does not improve stiffness or enhance stabilization of the CrCL-deficient stifle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The LGT could be used for the treatment of CrCL ruptures in the dog. A clinical study is recommended.
Energy and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysian Universities Through Energy Conservation Measures

Curtin University Malaysia, a significant education service provider in Sarawak state has been identified as one of the foremost electrical energy consumers in the state. Though past studies made on the Curtin campus brought out attainable suggestions, and they were subsequently implemented, still the per capita energy consumption needs to be reduced further. Hence, this situation necessitated an in-depth energy audit to determine how and where the energy is being consumed economically and efficiently or wasted instead. This paper aims at energy conservation measures based on a comprehensive load profile study conducted on the university campus. Based on the findings of the study, cost-effective and time-bound energy conservation tactics are suggested for scheming and controlling Curtin’s colossal energy expenses.
Cutaneous sensory receptors in the rat foot.

1. A total of 574 cutaneous afferent units in the sural and plantar nerves supplying the skin of the rat foot was examined: 399 A beta-units, 55 A delta-units, and 120 C-units. Their receptive-field (RF) properties were similar to those described in other mammals. However, the receptor type composition of units was different between the two nerves. 2. The sural A beta-fiber sample (n = 160) consisted of G-hair (41%), field (11%), rapidly adapting (RA; 6%), slowly adapting type I (SA-I; 7%), and type II (SA-II; 35%) mechanoreceptors. The plantar A beta-fiber sample (n = 239) was composed of G-hair (3%), RA (35%), SA-I (30%), SA-II (24%), and Pacinian corpuscle (PC; 8%) mechanoreceptors. 3. The RFs of SA-II units were located on both hairy and glabrous skin overlying the foot joints. Many of the SA-II units responded to movement of the foot joints. The RFs of both SA-I and RA units were small in size and located in high density on the toe tips and footpads. PC units were very sensitive to vibration and had extremely large RFs as in other species, although they were rare and found only in the plantar nerve. Field units were similar to SA-II units in response properties and RF distribution. 4. The sural A delta-fiber sample (n = 44) included nociceptors (68%), D-hair (27%), and cold (5%) receptors. All sampled plantar A delta-fibers (n = 11) were nociceptors. Of A delta-nociceptor units, A delta-mechanical nociceptors (73%) were dominant. 5. The sural C-fiber sample (n = 85) included nociceptors (44%), C-mechanoreceptors (33%), and cold receptors (21%). The plantar C-fiber sample (n = 35) included nociceptors (77%) and cold receptors (23%). No warm units were found among either the sural or plantar nerve fibers. Of C-nociceptors, C-mechanoheat nociceptors (80%) were dominant. 6. The results indicate that all well-known types of cutaneous receptors, except warm receptors, exist in the foot skin of the rat. On the basis of the fact that RFs of RA and SA-I units are in high density on the toe tips and footpads, it is suggested that those regions may have a spatial discriminating capacity. It is also suggested that SA-II receptors may play a role in proprioception, because they have RFs on the skin over foot joints and respond to joint movement. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
From the Editor: Reflections on Research and Publishing

During my term as editor, I have had the opportunity to peruse reviewers' comments on more than 600 manuscripts submitted to JM for review and publication consideration. In this process, I was struck by several recurring common criticisms of manuscripts in the reviewers' comments. In the spirit of helping authors improve their work, I attempt to provide an overview of some of the weaknesses frequently cited by JM's reviewers, as well as offer a few guideposts for crafting manuscripts for journals. The common criticisms of manuscripts include both correctable weaknesses (those amenable to being satisfactorily addressed by the authors during successive iterations of revisions) and uncorrectable weaknesses (some of which are fatal flaws that preclude a manuscript from being published, whereas others are weaknesses that do not necessarily imperil the validity of the study findings, but nevertheless limit the generalizability of the study findings). Indeed, it is conceivable that published research in marketing might evidence one or more of the shortcomings detailed here. Authors should, however, recognize that the rigor of the peer review process at this and every other major journal has continuously risen over the years and is destined to rise even further, commensurate with advances in the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical domains of research. Moreover, when sensitized to shortcomings that might possibly compromise the potential contribution of a research study to a body of knowledge, researchers have a responsibility to ensure that their future research endeavors are free of such shortcomings.
Implications of lump sum costs for empirical design in corporate finance research

This thesis consists of two self-contained studies on the implications of lump sum costs for empirical design in the context of corporate finance. The first study analyzes the dynamics of cash holding management and empirically determines the optimal policy for cash reserves. The framework stipulates that cash management is associated with the following actions: 1) allow cash level to freely float within the range bounded by two barriers; 2) refinance back to the target value immediately when cash level hits either barrier. The endogenous pattern identified under this framework facilitates understanding of the dynamics of cash holdings since it allows to estimate both the triggers of cash adjustments, as well as the target of each component of the policy. Further, this empirical application emphasizes the importance of the adjustment cost setting which refers to the interpretation of cost types for cash refinancing (fixed or fractional). In our model, we allow both fixed and fractional cash adjustment cost, which allows to identify a number of dynamic aspects such as target and thresholds in liquidity management. Also, this study enriches the existing studies of determinants of cash holdings by demonstrating novel effects of covariates on target cash holdings such as the negative impact of cash flow (profitability) much larger than previously estimated effects of industry risk. These findings differ from those in existing studies, either in signs or in magnitude, but are fully consistent with the underlying theory. Overall, the presented research quantifies cash holding management in a dynamic double-barrier model, allows to estimate the trigger of cash refinancing, and hence enhances our understanding of determinants of cash holding policy. The second study investigates the stickiness in credit rating. The existing literature on credit ratings typically assumes on accurate match between credit quality and agency ratings. This assumption ignores the agencies’ trade-off between the reputation among investors and the revenue from issuers when updating credit ratings. Our model controls for the adjustment cost for rating agencies, and hence explains the stickiness embedded in rating assignments. Presented tests empirically demonstrate the existence of the stickiness and its significant impact. This is the first study to explicitly model decision (partial) irreversibility in credit rating research. This paper offers therefore a different explanation of the observed rating deterioration to the upgrades becoming increasingly difficult. Lastly, this study personalizes the standard ordered-probit estimation to allow for stickiness (path-dependence). Our estimation identifies upper and lower threshold groups in which the credit quality does not match assigned ratings, and calculates the likelihood specifically based on their features.
Can the common-sense model predict adherence in chronically ill patients? A meta-analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore whether mental representations, derived from the common-sense model of illness representations (CSM), were able to predict adherence in chronically ill patients. Electronic databases were searched for studies that used the CSM and measured adherence behaviour in chronically ill patients. Correlations from the included articles were meta-analysed using a random-size effect model. A moderation analysis was conducted for the type of adherence behaviour. The effect sizes for the different mental representations and adherence constructs ranged from −0.02 to 0.12. Further analyses showed that the relationship between the mental representations and adherence did not differ by the type of adherence behaviour. The low-effect sizes indicate that the relationships between the different mental representations of the CSM and adherence are very weak. Therefore, the CSM may not be the most appropriate model to use in predictive studies of adherence.
Home safety education and provision of safety equipment for injury prevention.

BACKGROUND In industrialised countries injuries are the leading cause of childhood death and steep social gradients exist in child injury mortality and morbidity. The majority of injuries in pre-school children occur at home, but there is little meta-analytic evidence that child home safety interventions improve a range of safety practices or reduce injury rates and little evidence on their effect by social group. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effectiveness of home safety education, with or without the provision of low cost, discounted or free equipment in increasing home safety practices or reducing child injury rates and whether the effect varied by social group. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, DARE, ASSIA, Psychinfo and Web of Science, plus a range of relevant web sites, conference proceedings and bibliographies. We contacted authors of included studies and surveyed a range of organisations. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised controlled trials and controlled before and after studies where home safety education with or without the provision of safety equipment was provided to those aged 19 years and under, which reported safety practices, possession of safety equipment or injury. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. We attempted to obtain individual participant level data (IPD) for all included studies and summary data and IPD were simultaneoulsy combined in meta-regressions by social and demographic variables. MAIN RESULTS Eighty studies were included; 37 of which were included in at least one meta-analysis. Twenty-three (62%) were RCTs and 12 (32%) included in the meta-analysis provided IPD. Home safety education was effective in increasing the proportion of families with safe hot tap water temperatures (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01 to 180), functional smoke alarms (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.75), storing medicines (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.13) and cleaning products (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.17) out of reach, syrup of ipecac (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.50 to 7.44) and poison control centre numbers accessible (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.84 to 7.27), fitted stair gates (1.26, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.51), socket covers on unused sockets (OR 3.73, 95% CI 1.48 to 9.39) and storing sharp objects out of reach (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.29). There was a lack of evidence that interventions reduced rates of thermal injuries, poisoning or a range of injuries. There was no consistent evidence that interventions were less effective in families whose children were at greater risk of injury. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Home safety education provided most commonly as one-to-one, face-to-face education, in a clinical setting or at home, especially with the provision of safety equipment is effective in increasing a range of safety practices. There is a lack of evidence regarding its impact on child injury rates. There was no consistent evidence that home safety education, with or without the provision of safety equipment was less effective in those at greater risk of injury.
Fatal infection with human pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, in a captive chimpanzee

A fatal infection with human pinworms, Enterobius vermicularis, was found in a 26‐year‐old chimpanzee kept in a zoo. Grossly, the animal was highly emaciated, and had severe enteritis with cecal multifocal nodules and severe cholelithiasis. Histopathologically, a large number of human pinworms were observed in the nodular lesions in the cecum and intestinal wall. These migrating worms were surrounded by an inflammatory cell infiltration which lacked eosinophils. There were areas of multifocal hyperemia and/or hemorrhages in various organs including the entire gastrointestinal tract. Pinworms were also observed in the portal venule and parenchyma of the liver. A light infection with Strongyloides cf. stercoralis was also observed.
Relative performance transparency : effects on sustainable purchase and consumption behavior

We build on existing operations and marketing research focusing on the effect of information transparency on consumers by studying how transparency into the levels and changes of relative sustainability performance affects consumer behavior. Our work considers two forms of transparency: process transparency and customer transparency. We operationalize process transparency, in which information about the company’s sustainability performance relative to competitors is revealed to the customer, in the product purchase domain. We operationalize customer transparency, in which the customer receives information about their own sustainability performance relative to other customers, in the energy consumption domain. In a series of online consumer choice experiments, we find that within the product purchase domain, transparency into the company’s current levels of sustainability performance has a more powerful effect on influencing consumer purchase behavior than transparency into the company’s changes in relative sustainability performance over time. Conversely, in the energy consumption domain, we find that transparency into the customer’s changes in sustainability performance over time, relative to other customers, has a more dominant effect in motivating energy conservation than transparency into the customer’s relative levels of sustainability performance. We employ structural equation models to identify the underlying mechanisms that drive these results. Thesis Supervisor: Yanchong (Karen) Zheng Assistant Professor of Operations Management
Construct Validation of Job Characteristics in An Asian Context: An Evidence Among Academicians In Private Universities In Pakistan

This study aimed at validating the job characteristics construct among academicians in twenty-one private universities in Pakistan. The population in this research is all the academicians (professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers) working in the private universities of Pakistan. The choice of 21 private universities located in the Punjab/Islamabad Capital Territory out of total 43 universities in Pakistan was based on Purposive sampling technique. Moreover, Partial Least Square (SmartPLS 3) used to analyses the data for validating the job satisfaction scale. Specifically, the results demonstrated that measures for job characteristics are valid and acceptable based on their factor estimates. All validity indicators including items’ loadings, composite reliability, and average variance extracted (AVE), and square roots of the AVE have demonstrated high coefficients. This research aimed at assessing the construct validity of job characteristics among academicians in an Asian context (Pakistan). Moreover, for the first time this study seeks to empirically validate job characteristics as “Job Complexity” within the context of private higher education industry. This research provides preliminary evidence that different validated constructs may be of use to Pakistan’s managers in the private higher education to address critical human resources problems facing managers and human resources practitioners.