Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder views on mindfulness for youth at risk for psychosis

Abstract Interventions incorporating mindfulness for youth identified to be at risk for psychosis show promise for symptom management yet to be addressed by other approaches. Important questions remain as to how to safely and effectively implement these interventions with this cohort. The aim of this research was to collaboratively identify with stakeholders of such interventions, namely youth at risk for psychosis, and practitioners with experience working with youth at risk for psychosis – attitudes towards mindfulness and potential intervention adaptations to ensure the safety, uptake, and effectiveness of mindfulness interventions used with youth at risk for psychosis. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies were adopted. Eight practitioners and six at risk for psychosis individuals were interviewed. Both groups identified significant potential benefits of mindfulness, for stress and relaxation, managing difficult thoughts and emotions, increasing positive emotions, improving functioning, and patient empowerment within treatment participation. Stakeholders identified the helpfulness of including compassion‐based practices, emphasizing experiential and concrete material, shorter and guided exercises, the targeting of anxiety and attenuated psychotic symptomology, and making the goals or intent of practice youth relevant. Significant barriers were identified – poor functioning and low motivation, high self‐criticism, concurrent medication and substance use, and perceptions of mindfulness that may impact uptake (e.g. it requires relaxation to work). Formulation of and research into comprehensive clinical guidelines will help ensure the safe and effective use of future mindfulness and compassion‐based practices with at risk for psychosis individuals.
Effect of asthma management with exhaled nitric oxide versus usual care on perinatal outcomes

Introduction Asthma exacerbations in pregnancy are associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We aimed to determine whether fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO)-based asthma management improves perinatal outcomes compared to usual care. Methods The Breathing for Life Trial was a multicentre, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial conducted in six hospital antenatal clinics, which compared asthma management guided by FENO (adjustment of asthma treatment according to exhaled nitric oxide and symptoms each 6–12 weeks) to usual care (no treatment adjustment as part of the trial). The primary outcome was a composite of adverse perinatal events (preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), perinatal mortality or neonatal hospitalisation) assessed using hospital records. Secondary outcomes included maternal asthma exacerbations. Concealed random allocation, stratified by study site and self-reported smoking status was used, with blinded outcome assessment and statistical analysis (intention to treat). Results Pregnant women with current asthma were recruited; 599 to the control group (608 infants) and 601 to the intervention (615 infants). There were no significant group differences for the primary composite perinatal outcome (152 (25.6%) out of 594 control, 177 (29.4%) out of 603 intervention; OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94–1.56; p=0.15), preterm birth (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.78–1.68), SGA (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.78–1.68), perinatal mortality (OR 3.62, 95% CI 0.80–16.5), neonatal hospitalisation (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.89–1.72) or maternal asthma exacerbations requiring hospital admission or emergency department presentation (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.69–2.05). Conclusion FENO-guided asthma pharmacotherapy delivered by a nurse or midwife in the antenatal clinic setting did not improve perinatal outcomes. Asthma pharmacotherapy guided by fractional exhaled nitric oxide and delivered by a nurse or midwife in the antenatal clinic setting did not improve perinatal outcomes and there was no significant difference in asthma exacerbations between groups https://bit.ly/3LdbJ8V
Why add motor to the definition of ASD: A response to Bishop et al.'s critique of Bhat (2021)

I thank Bishop et al. for the opportunity to have an open and cordial debate on the issue of including motor problems within the ASD definition in a future Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM) revision. I encourage content experts and various stakeholders to weigh in on this issue as well. I will begin with the point that Bishop et al. was in agreement with, “recommending screening and assessment of motor problems in children with ASD. ” About ~80% of children with ASD in the SPARK study received speech and occupational therapy (OT) interventions that mainly address their communication and fine motor/sensory processing problems (Bhat, 2020). Motor problems of children with ASD remain underdiagnosed (only ~15% have a co-occurring diagnosis of motor delay) and most likely gross motor issues remain undertreated (~13%–32% received recreational or physical therapy [PT] interventions, respectively) even when ~87% of the SPARK cohort was at-risk for motor impairment based on the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD-Q) (Bhat, 2020). ASD diagnosticians need a clear directive to screen for motor problems and must make referrals for assessment and treatment of fine and gross motor issues to movement clinicians (OTs and PTs), when appropriate. Adding motor to the definition of ASD will bring this issue on the radar of diagnosticians and stakeholders to better address these problems. Interventions for children with ASD must shift from sedentary play at the desk or on the floor to include everyday functional motor skills, complex movements, fine and gross motor play, and physical activity in small-to-large groups utilizing engaging creative and general movement contexts. Overall, I agree with and extend Bishop et al.’s statement that we need to improve motor screening and referrals to movement clinicians for further motor assessments and interventions of individuals with ASD throughout the lifespan. Next, I will address the points of disagreement one by one.
Cerebral cortex layer segmentation using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in vivo with applications to laminar connections and working memory analysis

Understanding the laminar brain structure is of great help in further developing our knowledge of the functions of the brain. However, since most layer segmentation methods are invasive, it is difficult to apply them to the human brain in vivo. To systematically explore the human brain's laminar structure noninvasively, the K‐means clustering algorithm was used to automatically segment the left hemisphere into two layers, the superficial and deep layers, using a 7 Tesla (T) diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI)open dataset. The obtained layer thickness was then compared with the layer thickness of the BigBrain reference dataset, which segmented the neocortex into six layers based on the von Economo atlas. The results show a significant correlation not only between our automatically segmented superficial layer thickness and the thickness of layers 1–3 from the reference histological data, but also between our automatically segmented deep layer thickness and the thickness of layers 4–6 from the reference histological data. Second, we constructed the laminar connections between two pairs of unidirectional connected regions, which is consistent with prior research. Finally, we conducted the laminar analysis of the working memory, which was challenging to do in the past, and explained the conclusions of the functional analysis. Our work successfully demonstrates that it is possible to segment the human cortex noninvasively into layers using dMRI data and further explores the mechanisms of the human brain.
Reliability of Biomarkers of Physiological Stress at Rest and Post-exertional Heat Stress

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of blood biomarkers that can signify exercise-induced heat stress in hot conditions. Fourteen males completed two heat stress tests separated by 5–7 days. Venous blood was drawn pre- and post- heat stress for the concentration of normetanephrine, metanephrine, serum osmolality, copeptin, kidney-injury molecule 1, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. No biomarker, except copeptin, displayed systematic trial order bias ( p ≥0.05). Normetanephrine, copeptin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin presented acceptable reliability (CV range: 0.9–14.3%), while greater variability was present in metanephrine, osmolality and kidney-injury molecule 1 (CV range: 28.6–43.2%). Normetanephrine exhibited the largest increase (p<0.001) in response to heat stress (trial 1=1048±461 pmol. L -1 ; trial 2=1067±408 pmol. L -1 ), whilst kidney-injury molecule 1 presented trivial changes (trial 1=–4±20 ng. L -1 ; trial 2=2 ± 16 ng. L -1 , p >0.05). Normetanephrine, copeptin, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin demonstrated good reliability and sensitivity to an acute bout of heat stress. These biomarkers may be suitable for application in laboratory and field research to understand the efficacy of interventions that can attenuate the risk of thermal injury whilst exercising in the heat.
Revisiting fully homomorphic encryption schemes and their cryptographic primitives

Lattice-based cryptography plays an important role in modern cryptography. Apart from being a perfect alternative of classic public key cryptosystems, should the quantum computers become available, the lattice-based cryptography also enables many applications that conventional cryptosystems, such as RSA encryption scheme, can not deliver. One of the most significant aspects from this point of view is the fully homomorphic encryption schemes. A fully homomorphic encryption scheme allows one to arbitrarily operate on the encrypted messages, without decrypting it. This notion was raised in 1978, and it becomes a “holy grail” for the cryptographers for 30 years until 2009, Craig Gentry presented a framework to construct a fully homomorphic encryption using ideal lattice. The fully homomorphic encryption schemes, although they may be lacking of efficiency at its current stage, enable many important applications, such as secured cloud searching verifiable outsourced computing. Nevertheless, just like other cryptosystems, and perhaps all other inventions at the initial stage, the fully homomorphic encryption is young, prospective, and hence requires more research. In this thesis, we focus on the security of fully homomorphic encryption schemes. The security of all known fully homomorphic encryption schemes can be reduced to some lattice problems. Therefore, our main tool, not surprisingly, is lattice. Previous work has shown that some of the fully homomorphic encryption schemes can be broken using lattice reduction algorithms. Indeed, there exist several lattice reduction algorithms, such as LLL and L, that run in polynomial time, that can break a homomorphic encryption scheme. However, the running time, even though it is a polynomial algorithm, is still beyond tolerance. Hence, our first step is to optimize those algorithms. In this thesis, we show three different improvements. To sum up, combining those techniques, we are able to accelerate the reduction form O(dβ + dβ) to O(dβ + dβ) when the algorithm is dedicated for those cryptosystems, where d is the dimension of the lattice, and β is the maximum bit-length of the norm of input
Political polarization and cooperation during a pandemic

Abstract In this paper, we examine the relationship between political polarization and individuals' willingness to contribute to the public good by engaging in preventative behaviors against COVID‐19. Using a sample of individuals from close‐election states, we first show that individuals engage in fewer preventative behaviors when the governor of their state is from the opposite party. We also show that this effect is concentrated among moderate individuals who live in polarized states, and that it is strongest when the state has been relatively forceful in combating COVID‐19. We estimate that the opposite‐party effect increased COVID‐19 cases by around 1%.
Topical chlormethine gel in the treatment of mycosis fungoides: A single‐center real‐life experience and systematic review of the literature

Gel formulation of chlormethine (CG) has gained a preeminent role among therapies available for mycosis fungoides (MF). To evaluate the frequency of use of CG for MF treatment and to determine the limits and potentialities of CG in a real‐world setting. A systematic review of articles published prior to October 2021 was performed. Articles were included in the review if a full‐text English version was available. MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science were each queried from their date of inception with the following terms: “mechlorethamine gel”, “chlormethine gel”, and “mycosis fungoides”. The reference lists of the studies retrieved were searched manually. Moreover, this study included all consecutive patients with different stages of MF (from IA to IIB) who started treatment with CG gel between July 2020 and May 2021. Data of the literature were compared to our single‐center real‐life experience. Of the surveyed literature, 11 publications were included in the final analysis describing a total of 548 patients with MF. Eleven patients with a median (standard deviation) age of 66 years (15.1) were enrolled and followed up, receiving CG (0.02% chlormethine HCl). Response to treatment resulted higher (90.1%) in our study population than in other real‐world experiences published in literature. This systematic review supports the role of CG for MF treatment, showing its limits and potentialities. Our single‐center real‐life experience revealed an elevated percentage of clinical response with high safety and tolerance, demonstrating its versatile use with dose and application rate adaptability.
Telehealth delivery of paediatric rehabilitation for children with neurodisability: A mixed methods realist evaluation of contexts, mechanisms and outcomes

Abstract Background Teledelivery of rehabilitation services has been proposed as a cost‐effective option for supporting children with neurodisability and their families. However, little is understood of the conditions that support uptake of telehealth in paediatric rehabilitation, what is delivered during telehealth or perceptions of its outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the context, process and outcomes of telehealth for children with neurodisability and their families. A secondary objective was to identify if variations in these aspects of telehealth occurred for Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. Method A mixed‐methods, three phase, realist evaluation identified context‐mechanism‐outcome configurations (CMOcs) of telehealth. In Phase 1, the Determinants of Implementation Behaviour Questionnaire indicated factors affecting practitioner uptake of telehealth (Context). In Phase 2, a casenote audit identified ‘practitioner input’ during telehealth (Mechanism). Phase 3 interviews with practitioners and parents explored ‘parent response’ to telehealth and practitioner and parent perceptions of its value (Mechanism and Outcomes). Subgroup analyses for Māori were planned. Results From Phase 1, practitioners (29/37, 78%) intended to use telehealth; however, few did so regularly (7/37, 22%). Positive experiences of telehealth were described by all practitioners (n = 5) and families (n = 7) in Phase 3. CMOcs explained that practitioners' offering of telehealth occurred when practitioners were confident, valued access to therapy over the familiarity of in‐person delivery, and when practitioners used coaching‐style communication. Parents were receptive to telehealth when they trusted practitioners, felt listened to and were offered telehealth as a choice. When telehealth occurred, access to therapy was timely and more consistent than in‐person delivery. Child outcomes appeared to be positive. Confidence in offering telehealth to Māori was low. Conclusions Initiatives to improve uptake of telehealth in paediatric rehabilitation should focus on creating conditions for practitioner implementation. Training in telehealth should include engagement with Māori. Adequate workspace and workplace culture change are required if telehealth is to be offered beyond the current ‘early adopters’.
Pre-existing Reactivity to an IgG4 Fc-Epitope: Characterization and Mitigation of Interference in a Bridging Anti-drug Antibody Assay

Twenty percent of baseline patient samples exhibited a pre-existing response in a bridging anti-drug antibody (ADA) assay for a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutic. In some cases, assay signals were more than 100-fold higher than background, potentially confounding detection of true treatment-emergent ADA responses. The pre-existing reactivity was mapped by competitive inhibition experiments using recombinant proteins or chimeric human mAbs with IgG4 heavy chain regions swapped for IgG1 sequences. These experiments demonstrated that the majority of the samples had reactivity to an epitope containing leucine 445 in the CH3 domain of human IgG4. The pre-existing reactivity in baseline patient samples was mitigated by replacing the ADA assay capture reagent with a version of the drug containing a wild type IgG1 proline substitution at residue 445 without impacting detection of drug-specific, treatment-emergent ADA. Finally, purification on Protein G or anti-human IgG (H + L) columns indicated the pre-existing response was likely due to immunoglobulins in patient samples.
Neurostimulation for dry eye disease

Purpose of review To review the neuroanatomy and physiology of the basal and reflex tearing and present the available and developing therapies using the concept of neurostimulation in dry eye disease (DED). Recent findings The most prevalent current DED treatments seek to supplement low tear volume and tear components or reduce inflammation. Neurostimulation is a unique approach gaining momentum in recent years, geared toward increasing the production of all basal tear components by stimulating the nerves responsible for producing the various tear components. The neuroanatomy of the lacrimal unit provides several possible access points to stimulate tear production through two arms of the sensory trigeminal nerves. Modes of stimulation include chemical or energy in electrical or magnetic form. Research thus far has shown that neurostimulation can achieve lacrimal, goblet cell, and meibomian gland stimulation. Subjectively it improves symptoms of DED. Clinically, neurostimulation has improved the signs and symptoms of DED by increasing basal tear production and tear volume. Summary Neurostimulation using electrical, mechanical, or chemical means is a novel concept to increase tear production and was demonstrated to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated method for managing DED.
Standard intensities of transcranial alternating current stimulation over the motor cortex do not entrain corticospinal inputs to motor neurons

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) is commonly used to synchronize a cortical area and its outputs to the stimulus waveform, but gathering evidence for this based on brain recordings in humans is challenging. The corticospinal tract transmits beta oscillations (∼21 Hz) from the motor cortex to tonically contracted limb muscles linearly. Therefore, muscle activity may be used to measure the level of beta entrainment in the corticospinal tract due to TACS over the motor cortex. Here, we assessed whether TACS is able to modulate the neural inputs to muscles, which would provide indirect evidence for TACS‐driven neural entrainment. In the first part of the study, we ran simulations of motor neuron (MN) pools receiving inputs from corticospinal neurons with different levels of beta entrainment. Results suggest that MNs are highly sensitive to changes in corticospinal beta activity. Then, we ran experiments on healthy human subjects (N = 10) in which TACS (at 1 mA) was delivered over the motor cortex at 21 Hz (beta stimulation), or at 7 Hz or 40 Hz (control conditions) while the abductor digiti minimi or the tibialis anterior muscle were tonically contracted. Muscle activity was measured using high‐density electromyography, which allowed us to decompose the activity of pools of motor units innervating the muscles. By analysing motor unit pool activity, we observed that none of the TACS conditions could consistently alter the spectral contents of the common neural inputs received by the muscles. These results suggest that 1 mA TACS over the motor cortex given at beta frequencies does not entrain corticospinal activity.
Differences in the management of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents as compared to adults

Purpose of review To describe recent advances in the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules in both children and adults, highlighting differences between the two groups. Recent findings Thyroid nodules are less common in children than adults but the risk of malignancy is higher. Screening recommendations for patients with certain genetic syndromes or specific risk factors for thyroid nodules and cancer continue to evolve ultrasound is the most appropriate imaging modality for evaluating thyroid nodules in all patients, but radiographic risk stratification systems validated in adults have not been extensively studied in children. Criteria for proceeding to fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy differ some between children and adults, with nodule size being less of a consideration in young patients. Molecular testing continues to improve the diagnostic capabilities of FNA for all age groups, but options for pediatric thyroid nodules are currently limited. In children, only oncogene panels are validated and their exact utility, along with miRNA classifiers, is an evolving area of study. For adults, data support selection of a specific molecular test based on ultrasound characteristics and pretest probability of malignancy. Multiple series have shown that fusion mutations are more common in pediatric thyroid nodules, while point mutations are seen more often in adult thyroid nodules. Molecular data help guide management recommendations regarding the need for surgery when FNA is indeterminate, but clinical use is still being refined. Radiofrequency ablation is a nonoperative approach that has gained significant traction for the treatment of symptomatic benign nodules in adults, but data are currently extremely limited in children. Summary There are difference in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid nodules in adults and children, the nuances of which are important for clinical management.
TECHNISCHE BERICHTE TECHNICAL REPORTS

Language and particularly story understanding is a fundamental component of human-level intelligence. It enables us to predict consequences of actions without examining these actions before, making investigations according to story understanding a necessary path on our way to artifical intelligence. This paper aims to improve the story understanding system Genesis by applying the layer concept of the subsumption architecture to the system’s variable interpretations capability. Therefore the underlying cognition hypotheses as well as their implementations are described. Additionally, a notion of cognition hypotheses is given. The paper finally concludes that the layer concept improves the system’s extensibility and paves the way for real-time behavior. Also, further investigations of combinations of cognition hypotheses are motivated.