Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do Emotional Components of Alexithymia Mediate the Interplay between Cyberbullying Victimization and Perpetration?

A substantial amount of research has revealed that cyberbully-victims have more emotional and behavioral problems than either cyberbullying victims or perpetrators. However, until now, little research has been conducted into the factors that contribute to the interplay between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between cyberbullying victimization, perpetration, and two emotional components of alexithymia, namely difficulties in identifying and describing one’s own feelings. Self-report questions were administered to 1549 adolescents between 12 and 18 years old (M = 14.51; SD = 1.68; 42.1% (n = 652) male) from Germany and Thailand. Results showed that cyberbullying victimization and alexithymia are associated with cyberbullying perpetration. Moreover, alexithymia mediated the associations between cyberbullying victimization and adolescents’ cyberbullying perpetration. Consequently, we suggest that the ability to describe and identify one’s own feelings might be important for understanding the link between cyberbullying, victimization, and perpetration. The results may help develop prevention and intervention programs focused on reducing cyberbullying.
The role of colostral antibodies in prevention of microbial infections

Mammalian colostrum offers passive protection to the newborn against a variety of microbial pathogens, in the form of specific immunoglobulin A, G and M antibodies. Sharing maternal immunological memory is in many cases vital for the infant, but may have disastrous consequences, such as involuntary transfer of disease and disturbance of the developing immune system. In most published studies, immune milk preparations are reported to be effective in the prevention of various gastroenteric infections, but not in the treatment of an established infection.
Therapeutic Activity of an Anti-Idiotypic Antibody-Derived Killer Peptide against Influenza A Virus Experimental Infection

ABSTRACT The in vitro and in vivo activities of a killer decapeptide (KP) against influenza A virus is described, and the mechanisms of action are suggested. KP represents the functional internal image of a yeast killer toxin that proved to exert antimicrobial and anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activities. Treatment with KP demonstrated a significant inhibitory activity on the replication of two strains of influenza A virus in different cell lines, as evaluated by hemagglutination, hemadsorption, and plaque assays. The complete inhibition of virus particle production and a marked reduction of the synthesis of viral proteins (membrane protein and hemagglutinin, in particular) were observed at a KP concentration of 4 μg/ml. Moreover, KP administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 μg/mice once a day for 10 days to influenza A/NWS/33 (H1N1) virus-infected mice improved the survival of the animals by 40% and significantly decreased the viral titers in their lungs. Overall, KP appears to be the first anti-idiotypic antibody-derived peptide that displays inhibitory activity and that has a potential therapeutic effect against pathogenic microorganisms, HIV-1, and influenza A virus by different mechanisms of action.
The McGurk Effect: Auditory Visual S peech Perception’s Piltdown Man

I draw an analogy of the McGurk effect to an episode in natural science. Piltdown Man were claimed to be the fossilized remains of a previously unknown early human. It took roughly 4 decades of controversy to conclusively learn that Piltdown Man was as a hoax because the natural scientists focused on the Piltdown Man rather than searching for other paleoanthropological evidence. I argue that the slow progress in understanding of the McGurk effect is analogous because behavioral and speech scientists have not broadened their scope of inquiry much beyond the original McGurk finding. I then review a few representative examples of misguided research and theory that has resulted from this type of narrow inquiry. These include a hindering of the development of theoretical models, the belief that there are qualitative differences among individuals in terms of how they process auditory-visual speech, that different language communities process auditory-visual speech differently, and that speech is somehow special. To provide an alternative to the Piltdown Man approach, the Fuzzy Logical Model of Perception (FLMP) is briefly described to serve as a more appropriate paradigm for research and theoretical inquiry. The limitations of various neural measures are described, and when these limitations are surmounted, there appears to be some neural evidence for the independence of processing auditory and visual speech at the initial stage of speech processing.
Role of Non-Selective Beta Blockers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Analysis in Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension

There are many different biochemical processes responsible for the hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) development that can be targeted for the prevention or halt progression of the HCC. Non-selective beta-blockers (NSBB) affects a multitude of intracellular biochemical and signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis. Aim: To determine if NSBB may be protective for HCC in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 200 patients from medical records diagnosed with cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2001 and December 2013. Eighteen patients were excluded (taking selective beta-blocker and/or unavailable medical records). The etiology of cirrhosis, use of NSBB, demographics and the presence of HCC was collected. Result: There were 140 males and 42 females. The mean age for portal hypertension with cirrhosis without HCC was 53.5 ± 11.4 & with HCC was 62.2 ± 9.5 years. Univariate analysis of the association of NSBB with HCC yielded OR = 0. 11 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.25); p < 0.0001, suggesting a protective effect of NSBB. Multivariable analysis suggests virtually no change when the Odds ratio (OR) was adjusted for diabetes mellitus (DM), alcohol use, Hepatitis B virus (HBV) status, Black race and age ≥ 53. There was a slight increase in the OR adjusted for statin use. Conclusion: This study highlights association of NSBB use in the patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension for prevention of HCC.
A Field Study on the Impact of Variations in Short-Term Memory Demands on Drivers’ Visual Attention and Driving Performance Across Three Age Groups

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess sensitivity of visual attention and driving performance for detecting changes in driver cognitive workload across different age groups. Background: The literature shows mixed results concerning the sensitivity of gaze concentration metrics to variations in cognitive demand. No studies appear showing how age affects gaze allocation during cognitive demand. Method: Recordings of drivers’ gaze and driving performance by individuals in their 20s, 40s, and 60s were captured in actual driving conditions during three levels of cognitive demand. Results: Gaze concentration increased with task difficulty through the low and moderate levels of demand and then appeared to level out at the high demand level. At the moderate difficulty level, gaze concentration increased by 2.4 cm (≈2°) from the reference period. The degree of gaze concentration with added cognitive demand is not related to age in the relatively healthy drivers studied. Driving performance measures did not show a consistent relationship with the objective demand level. Conclusion: Gaze concentration appears at low levels of cognitive demand prior to the appearance of marked decrements in driving control. There is no compelling evidence from this study that driving performance measures can be used to index differences in workload prior to capacity saturation. Application: Drivers’ awareness of vehicle surroundings is incrementally affected by increases in cognitive demand. Developers of more advanced driver support systems should consider gaze concentration as a measure of driver cognitive workload. This recommendation is particularly relevant in light of the added benefits of gaze measurements for detecting visual demand. Keywords: mental workload, cognitive distraction, eye movements, visual tunneling, driving safety, situational awareness, voice interfaces, cellular telephones
Aspiration, weight loss, and quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE To determine associations between objective assessments (swallowing function and weight change) and subjective quality-of-life (QOL) measures. DESIGN Observational case series using clinical testing and questionnaires. SETTING University hospital-based tertiary clinical practice. PATIENTS Convenience sample of 5-year survivors of head and neck cancer (62 nonlaryngectomy survivors were studied). INTERVENTIONS Objective testing included examination, weight history, videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS), and oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency (OPSE). Subjective testing included QOL questionnaires (University of Washington Quality-of-Life [UWQOL] Scale, Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients [PSS-HN], Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General [FACT-G] Scales, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck [FACT-H&N] Scale). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Aspiration (identified by VFSS), weight change, and QOL measures. RESULTS Aspiration was associated with the decreased QOL scores in chewing, swallowing, normalcy of diet, and additional concerns of the FACT-H&N Scale. No association was found between aspiration and willingness to eat in public, subjective understandability, or any of the FACT-G scales. Of the nonlaryngectomy survivors, 27 (44%) demonstrated some degree of aspiration during VFSS. Associations were found between aspiration, primary tumor T stage, weight change, and OPSE. Aspirators lost a mean of 10.0 kg from precancer treatment weight, while nonaspirators gained a mean of 2.3 kg (P<.001). Mean OPSE scores were 69 for nonaspirators and 53 for aspirators (P =.01). CONCLUSIONS Almost half of long-term nonlaryngectomy head and neck cancer survivors demonstrated at least some degree of aspiration. The presence of aspiration is associated with substantial weight loss, advanced initial tumor stage, diminished oropharyngeal swallowing efficiency, and lower scores on a variety of QOL scales.
What are the factors that influence the delivery of smoking cessation advice in critical care?

BACKGROUND The world's leading cause of preventable deaths, diseases and disabilities is smoking. Hospitalization can provide an opportunity for smokers to quit. Previous research found that smokers make up a high percentage of patients admitted to intensive care. Health care professionals working in critical care environments can make a valuable contribution to this public health issue by providing smoking cessation advice. AIM To identify factors that inhibit and facilitate the delivery of smoking cessation advice by nurses and doctors in critical care settings. DESIGN Quantitative design using an online survey. METHODS This research was a single centre study carried out in a large tertiary hospital. Study sites were two adult critical care departments including a 14-bed general intensive care and a 16-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit. The target population for this research was the nursing and medical staff working in adult critical care environments. RESULTS The data suggests that doctors and nurses have a good understanding of the complications related to tobacco use and also have education on smoking cessation. Additionally the data suggest that doctors and nurses at the study sites generally have positive attitudes towards smoking cessation. Patient acuity and competence were concerns raised in relation to the delivery and effectiveness of smoking cessation advice in critical care environments. CONCLUSIONS The recovery phase following critical illness might be an opportunity to provide cessation advice. This could include focusing cessation advice efforts on awake, orientated and extubated patients. Further research might be required to confirm this. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE The provision of smoking cessation advice is an on-going World Health Organization and New Zealand Government priority and all parts of the health sector need to provide responses. However, responses need to be adapted to the specific context such as the unique challenges of critical care.
Transketolase and 2′,3′-Cyclic-nucleotide 3′-Phosphodiesterase Type I Isoforms Are Specifically Recognized by IgG Autoantibodies in Multiple Sclerosis Patients *S

The presence of autoantibodies in multiple sclerosis (MuS) is well known, but their target antigens have not been clearly identified. In the present study, IgG autoreactivity to neural antigens of normal human white matter separated by bidimensional electrophoresis was assessed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 18 MuS and 20 control patients. Broad IgG autoreactivity was detected by two-dimensional immunoblotting in all cases to neural antigens, most of which were identified by mass spectrometry. The comparative analysis of MuS and non-MuS reactive spots showed that a restricted number of neural protein isoforms were specifically recognized by MuS IgG. Almost all MuS patients had cerebrospinal fluid IgG directed to isoforms of one of the oligodendroglial molecules, transketolase, 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase type I, collapsin response mediator protein 2, and tubulin β4. Interestingly 50% of MuS IgG recognized transketolase, which was mostly localized on oligodendrocytes in human white matter from normal and MuS samples. IgG autoreactivity to cytoskeletal proteins (radixin, sirtuin 2, and actin-interacting protein 1) was prevalent in secondary progressive MuS patients. Among the proteins recognized by serum IgG, almost all MuS patients specifically recognized a restricted number of neuronal/cytoskeletal proteins, whereas 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase type I was the oligodendroglial antigen most frequently recognized (44%) by MuS seric IgG. Our immunomics approach shed new light on the autoimmune repertoire present in MuS patients revealing novel oligodendroglial and/or neuronal putative autoantigens with potential important pathogenic and diagnostic implications.
Comparison of Spruce Bark Beetle (Ips typographus) Catches Between Treated Trap Logs and Pheromone Traps

The numbers of Ips typographus beetles captured in treated tripod trap logs (tripods) were compared to catches from Theysohn pheromone traps (TPTs). In 2010, at each of the three localities, five TPTs and five tripods baited with Pheagr IT pheromone evaporators were installed with 10 m spacing. Weekly inspections were made during the entire period of I. typographus flight activity (April 30 – October 1). The tripods were treated with insecticide Vaztak 10 SC on April 23, 2010 and then repeatedly every seven weeks along with the renewal of the pheromone evaporator. The study showed that the TPTs trapped approximately one-third more beetles than did the tripods. The TPT captures showed a dominance of females over males, while in tripods the sex ratio was balanced. The TPTs and tripods both trapped approximately the same numbers of males, but the females were distinctly more numerous in the TPTs. In both cases, more adults were captured during spring than in summer. K e y w o rd s : Ips typographus, tripod trap logs, pheromone trap, sex ratio
Regulatory mechanisms of in vitro human IgE synthesis *

The IgE antibody system is among the most sophisticated of the known immune defense mechanisms. Although its specific function is still unknown, this system probably protects the host against offending agents encountered via the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Unlike other immunoglobulin classes, IgE molecules bind specifically and avidly to receptors localized on the surface of tissue mast cells and circulating basophils. These cells are capable of producing and releasing several potent mediator molecules. The interaction of the antigen with a small number of IgE molecules is already sufficient to initiate a protective reaction for which the system was designed. However, because of its unusual amplification power, the IgE antibody system is highly susceptible to perturbations resulting in overproduction of IgE which determines the appearance of allergic manifestations. The highest IgE levels (excluding IgE myelomas) have been found in patients with hyperIgE (Buckley's) syndrome, where cellular immune defects coexist with susceptibility to Staphylococcus aureus infections (1). Very high IgE serum levels are characteristic of patients infected by parasites, which interestingly induce the production of a large excess of parasitespecific and -nonspecific IgE. Also primary im-
Molecular analysis of isolates of the cestode Rodentolepis nana from the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus

Abstract Rodentolepis nana (syn. Hymenolepis nana) is a cyclophyllidean zoonotic enteric parasite with worldwide distribution. In humans, it is more prevalent in children, especially in temperate zones. A morphologically similar species of R. nana occurs in different rodents, including gerbils. In the present study molecular characterization of five isolates of R. nana from Rhombomys opimus in the Golestan Province (n= 2) and Razavi Khorasan Province (n= 3), both in north-eastern Iran, were analysed. After DNA extraction, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the R. nana isolates was amplified and sequenced, and genetic variation was analysed. Accordingly, two isolates from the Razavi Khorasan Province showed ITS2 signatures that differed from the isolates from the Golestan Province. The third isolate from Razavi Khorasan did not reveal these specific signatures, but exhibited sparse nucleotide polymorphisms in the ITS2 sequence. The ITS gene is conserved, and variation in this fragment could be an interesting subject for further inspection of existing variation in the genome of R. nana, among different domestic and wildlife host species and from different areas.
Tissue factor pathway inhibitor and other endothelium-dependent hemostatic factors in elderly individuals with normal or impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is believed to be a prediabetic phase that precedes the development of type 2 diabetes. In elderly subjects, IGT and diabetes are both independently associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial damage precedes atherosclerotic changes of the vascular wall. Therefore, several markers of endothelial dysfunction were examined in elderly subjects with IGT and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Von Willebrand factor (vWF), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), and thrombomodulin were studied as markers of endothelial dysfunction in a population-based study of elderly subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or IGT and type 2 diabetes. In addition to these endothelium-dependent factors, we also investigated tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity in relation to metabolic parameters and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS All data were adjusted for age. Increased levels of vWF antigen, t-PA antigen, and PAI-1 activity were seen in the IGT and diabetic group compared with the NGT group. TFPI activity and thrombomodulin levels were increased in all elderly subjects, and no differences were seen between the groups. There was a positive association between HbA(1c) and TFPI activity and vWF antigen. Fasting blood glucose levels correlated with vWF antigen, t-PA antigen, and PAI-1 activity, whereas urine albumin excretion correlated with TFPI activity, vWF antigen, and PAI-1 activity. Serum insulin levels correlated strongly not only with vWF antigen and t-PA antigen but also with PAI-1 activity. This correlation did not change after further adjustment for serum glucose and HbA(1c), which may suggest that in the elderly subjects, impaired fibrinolysis is probably associated with insulin resistance. There were no associations between the endothelium-dependent hemostatic factors and lipids, except for a negative correlation between HDL cholesterol and thrombomodulin. CONCLUSIONS In elderly subjects with IGT, several endothelium-dependent hemostatic factors are already consistently increased, indicating endothelial damage in this stage.
Issues and Strategies of Rhythmicality for MotionComposer

The paper discusses issues of rhythmicality in the MotionComposer, a therapy device for persons with different abilities that turns movement into music using video-based motion tracking. Aiming at both a low entry fee, and that the result should be rhythmical enough to induce further movement, the design of the device faces an inherent challenge, namely that since users are both dancing to the beat of the music, and creating it at same time, then they must be rhythmic enough in their movements to produce a satisfying result, or the feedback loop will break down. In addressing the problem, we apply a number of strategies named triggering, accenting and adaptive. This paper discusses the pros and cons of the various approaches, referring to experiences gathered in the field, and concludes by summarizing possibilities for improvements in the next version of the device.
The effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil on severity of primary dysmenorrhea in Arsanjan students

Background: Presently, using complementary therapy such as lavender oil has specific application in medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in nursing and midwifery students of Islamic Azad University of Arsanjan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was performed using clinical trial method on 80 eligible students whose level of pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) before the intervention. Each participant, in the first days of menstruation, randomly received two types of massage with lavender and placebo oil in two consecutive cycles of menstruation. Their level of pain was measured before and 30 min after the intervention. In this study, each group was considered as their self-control group in the next cycle. The data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: A significant decrease in VAS score after lavender massage was detected in comparison with placebo massage. There was a statistically significant difference between VAS scores after and before placebo massage. In addition, statistically the effect of lavender massage on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea was higher than that of placebo massage (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings of this study showed that lavender oil massage decreases primary dysmenorrhea and it can be used as an effective herbal drug.
Service Delivery Strategy for Internal IT Service

Internal IT service has a promising potential for business value creation. However, in order to realize this value, firms need to provide an adequate level of service quality (SQ) through customer satisfaction. Through literature review from the IT and Marketing fields, a strategy to ensure customer satisfaction in an internal IT service is presented. “Reliability” is determined as the most important aspect of SQ and in an internal IT service the minimum expectation of this aspect is linked to the SLA. To ensure customer satisfaction, firms need to consistently deliver a dependable and accurate service within the SLA. Also, in the case of the improvement of SQ, service providers need to focus on eliminating dissatisfier instead of focusing on satisfier because dissastisfier and satisfier are not two sides of the same coin.