Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring User Perspectives of and Ethical Experiences With Teletherapy Apps: Qualitative Analysis of User Reviews

Background Teletherapy apps have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional in-person therapy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, as they help overcome a range of geographical and emotional barriers to accessing care. However, the rapid proliferation of teletherapy apps has occurred in an environment in which development has outpaced the various regulatory and ethical considerations of this space. Thus, researchers have raised concerns about the ethical implications and potential risks of teletherapy apps given the lack of regulation and oversight. Teletherapy apps have distinct aims to more directly replicate practices of traditional care, as opposed to mental health apps, which primarily provide supplemental support, suggesting a need to examine the ethical considerations of teletherapy apps from the lens of existing ethical guidelines for providing therapy. Objective In this study, we examined user reviews of commercial teletherapy apps to understand user perceptions of whether and how ethical principles are followed and incorporated. Methods We identified 8 mobile apps that (1) provided teletherapy on 2 dominant mobile app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store) and (2) had received >5000 app reviews on both app stores. We wrote Python scripts (Python Software Foundation) to scrape user reviews from the 8 apps, collecting 3268 user reviews combined across 2 app stores. We used thematic analysis to qualitatively analyze user reviews, developing a codebook drawing from the ethical codes of conduct for psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. Results The qualitative analysis of user reviews revealed the ethical concerns and opportunities of teletherapy app users. Users frequently perceived unprofessionalism in their teletherapists, mentioning that their therapists did not listen to them, were distracted during therapy sessions, and did not keep their appointments. Users also noted technical glitches and therapist unavailability on teletherapy apps that might affect their ability to provide continuity of care. Users held varied opinions on the affordability of those apps, with some perceiving them as affordable and others not. Users further brought up that the subscription model resulted in unfair pricing and expressed concerns about the lack of cost transparency. Users perceived that these apps could help promote access to care by overcoming geographical and social constraints. Conclusions Our study suggests that users perceive commercial teletherapy apps as adhering to many ethical principles pertaining to therapy but falling short in key areas regarding professionalism, continuity of care, cost fairness, and cost transparency. Our findings suggest that, to provide high-quality care, teletherapy apps should prioritize fair compensation for therapists, develop more flexible and transparent payment models, and invest in measures to ensure app stability and therapist availability. Future work is needed to develop standards for teletherapy and improve the quality and accessibility of those services.
Quality evaluation of bread wheat germplasms

An experiment was laid out at C.S. A. University of Agriculture and Teachnology, Kanpur during 1994-96 to evaluate wheat varieties/ strains/ lines for their suitability of bread making quality and other quality characters viz., grain characteristics, flour characters, dough characteristics, Chapati quality etc. Experimentation material included six strains of bread wheat ( Triricum aestivumL.) i.e. K8965, K­ 9222, K-8027, (undertaken as check), K-9329, K-9323 and K-9443. It was revealed out from the study that K-8027 (check) and K-9443 appeared to be best for eleven characters namely; grain hardness, phenol colour reaction, protein content, wet glutin, dry gluten, sedimentation value, pelshenke value, water absorption, dough colour and appearance, dough handling property and suitability for Chapatti quality .
Differential Protein Expression Patterns of HOXA13 and HOXB13 Are Associated with Bladder Cancer Progression

Bladder cancer is a common urological cancer and has the highest recurrence rate of any cancer. The aim of our study was to profile and characterize the protein expression of homeobox A13 (HOXA13) and homeobox B13 (HOXB13) genes in Malaysian bladder cancer patients. The protein expression of HOXA13 and HOXB13 in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) bladder cancer tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. The association between HOXA13/HOXB13 protein expression and demographic/clinicopathological characteristics of the bladder cancer patients was determined by chi-square analysis. Approximately 63.6% of the bladder cancer tissues harbored high HOXA13 expression. High HOXA13 expression was significantly associated with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, lower tumor grade, higher number of lymph node metastases, and recurrence risk. In contrast, low HOXB13 expression (including those with negative expression) was observed in 71.6% of the bladder cancer tissues analyzed. Low HOXB13 expression was significantly associated with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, higher tumor stage, tumor grade, and metastatic risk. Both HOXA13 and HOXB13 protein expression were found to be associated with bladder tumorigenesis. The putative oncogenic and tumor suppressive roles of HOXA13 and HOXB13, respectively, suggest their potential utility as biomarkers in bladder cancer.
Clinical significance of CDT1 mRNA expression in chronic hepatitis C or liver cirrhosis

We have previously reported that chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (CDT1) is associated with the postoperative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Based on this fact, we verified whether CDT1 mRNA expression is also associated with HCC development from chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and liver cirrhosis (LC). There were 142 cases with CHC or LC who underwent liver biopsy. Detection of CDT1 mRNA in liver was performed by RT-qPCR using frozen liver biopsy tissues. We examined the association between the CDT1 mRNA expression and clinical conditions and long-term outcome. We then examined the association between serum cytokine/chemokine levels and CDT1 mRNA expression in 58 cases. The cumulative incidence rates of HCC development in cases with CDT1 mRNA in the low expression group showed significantly lower than those in the high expression group (p = 0.0391). A significant correlation was found between CDT1 mRNA expression and the extent of proliferation of atypical hepatocytes in hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections (p<0.0001). CDT1 mRNA expression has been associated with cytokines involved in tumorigenesis in experimental and human cancers. We found that cases with high CDT1 mRNA expression were at risk for developing HCC, even if they were CHC or LC.
Enhancing Creativity: The Role of Affective Commitment and Knowledge Sharing

As higher education institutions were facing strong competition to attract new coming students, the contributions of lecturers were acknowledged as one of the driving resources of the university’s competitive advantage. Besides teaching, all lecturers were required to conduct research and social services. While fulfilling these tasks, some lecturers focused on one aspect only and neglect the others. This situation created a disparity in lecturers’ creative mindsets, as they keep on doing similar tasks repeatedly. Creativity developed by the lecturers could become the competitive advantage of their university. The objective of this study was to examine how lecturers’ creativity is constructed. Two influencing factors, which are affective commitment and knowledge sharing, were tested to see their influences on creativity. The data were collected from 170 randomly selected lecturers of private universities who obtained an “A” accreditation. Since this was quantitative research, the collected data were processed with the Partial Least Square technique. The results showed that lecturers’ creativity was significantly affected by knowledge sharing as well as affective commitment. However, knowledge sharing did not mediate the relationship between affective commitment and creativity.
Impact of Learning Burnout on Mobile Phone Dependence Among Adolescents in Western China Under the “Double Reduction” Policy: The Mediating Role of Social Support

Purpose This paper investigated the prevalence of mobile phone dependence (MPD) and its associated with learning burnout under the “double reduction” policy among adolescents in Guizhou Province in western China. In addition, the influence of the mediating mechanism of social support on this relationship was investigated. Methods The sample was collected from 16,216 adolescents in West China’s Guizhou province, from December 2021 to January 2022 via multistage stratified random sampling. The Self-rating Questionnaire for Adolescent Problematic Mobile Phone Use (SQAPMPU) was used to assess the MPD, the Adolescent Student Burnout Scale (ASBI) was used to assess the learning burnout, and the Social Support Scale (SSS) was used to assess the social support. A hierarchical linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between MPD, learning burnout, and social support. The mediating effect of social support between MPD and learning burnout was analyzed by structural equation model. Results Prevalence of MPD was 26.4% among adolescents in Guizhou province in western China. After adjusting for confounding variables like demographics, multiple linear regression model has revealed that learning burnout positively predicted MPD and social support negatively predicted MPD. The structural equation model showed that 10.9% of the effect was explained by the mediating effect of social support. Conclusion These findings could inform service delivery and policy formulation to reduce learning and avoid MPD in adolescents.
Factors Affecting Students‘ Willingness to Use Gamification in University Settings

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting students’ willingness to use gamification. To achieve this objective, a quantitative research method was used, and data were collected employing the survey technique. The sample of the study consisted of 105 university students in Jordan. The survey was structured to take into consideration the inclusion of students from different colleges and majors. The results indicated that perceived usefulness, normative beliefs and task-technology fit are the factors that have the most significant effect on students’ willingness to use gamification as a learning technique. Hopefully, the results of this study will help in formulating policies and in introducing a new technique to be used by both instructors and students, especially in the classroom setting. The study will also help determine the effectiveness of the technology apps used by university staff in Jordan.
Stock and Currency Market Linkages: An Empirical Analysis from Emerging Economies

Purpose: The Causality relationship between forex and stock market in any economy is dependent on its economic fundamentals. This study examines return and volatility linkages between stock and currency markets for 28 emerging economies weekly MSCI stock index values (in local currency) and foreign exchange rates (indirect quotes) from 1988 to 2019. Theoretical Framework: The understanding of the relationship between forex and stock markets through return and volatility spillover will help in predicting behavior of one market on account of the knowledge of movements in another market. Impact of global financial crisis (GFC) on this relationship is another dimension of research. This study finds the causal relationship between forex and stock markets through return and volatility spillover for all emerging economies along with the effect of GFC on the relationship. Design/Methodology/Approach: The empirical analysis is conducted for the total period and three sub-periods namely pre-global financial crisis, crisis, and post-crisis periods by using the Granger Causality test (Granger 1969) followed by Vector Auto Regression (VAR) model and finally the Dynamic Conditional Correlations (DCC), a multivariate model proposed by Engle (2002). The volatility linkages are studied by employing BEKK-GARCH (Baba, Engle, Kraft, & Kroner, 1990) Findings: It is found that return spillovers are predominantly from Stock to forex markets during the pre-crisis and crisis period but from forex to stock market in the post-crisis period. The increasing presence of return relationships from 10 countries in the pre-crisis period to 19 countries during the crisis period, implying a contagion effect. The BEKK-GARCH result confirm that volatility spillovers are observed throughout from forex to stock markets. Research, practical & social implications: More extensive return and volatility associations between stock and forex market after the global financial crisis confirm the increasing importance of economic fundamentals. Return linkages exhibit contagion against the decoupling effect observed in volatility spillovers during the crisis period. Originality/Value: Based on empirical observations, the study attempts to provide important policy implications for Policy makers, global investors, and academic community.
Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: characteristics and the prospect of glucocorticoid pulse therapy

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is an autoimmune disease that results in significant damage and often needs more aggressive treatment. Compared to adult-onset SLE, cSLE has a stronger genetic background and more prevalent elevated type I Interferon expression. The management of cSLE is more challenging because the disease itself and treatment can affect physical, psychological and emotional growth and development. High dose oral glucocorticoid (GC) has become the rule for treating moderate to severe cSLE activity. However, GC-related side effects and potential toxicities are problems that cannot be ignored. Recent studies have suggested that GC pulse therapy can achieve disease remission rapidly and reduce GC-related side effects with a reduction in oral prednisone doses. This article reviews characteristics, including pathogenesis and manifestations of cSLE, and summarized the existing evidence on GC therapy, especially on GC pulse therapy in cSLE, followed by our proposal for GC therapy according to the clinical effects and pathogenesis.
Why did Spanish regions not converge before the Civil War? Agglomeration and (regional) growth revisited: Spain, 1870-1930

In this paper we explore the relationship between the spatial agglomeration of economic activity and regional economic growth in Spain during the period 1870-1930. The study allows us to revisit the existence of a trade-off between economic growth and territorial cohesion and also to examine whether the agglomeration of production was a key element to explain the upswing in regional income inequality in Spain during the country’s early stages of development. In doing this, we present alternative indicators for agglomeration and estimate conditional growth regressions at province (NUTS3) level. The results show the existence of a positive, robust relationship between the initial levels of regional agglomeration (mainly in the industrial sector) and subsequent growth trajectories. In line with new economic geography (NEG) models, we suggest that the presence of agglomeration economies in a context of market integration favoured the emergence of a cumulative causation process that widened regional inequality in the second half of the 19th century and hindered its reduction during the early decades of the 20th. En este articulo se analiza la existencia de una relacion entre la aglomeracion espacial de la actividad y el crecimiento economico regional en Espana durante el periodo 1870-1930. El estudio permite revisitar la existencia de un trade-off entre crecimiento economico y cohesion territorial y, ademas, examinar si la aglomeracion productiva fue un elemento clave a la hora de explicar el incremento de la desigualdad economica regional en Espana a lo largo de las primeras fases del desarrollo. Para ello, se presentan diferentes indicadores de aglomeracion a nivel provincial (NUTS3) que posteriormente se incluyen en la estimacion de regresiones de crecimiento condicionadas. Los resultados muestran la existencia de una relacion positiva y robusta entre el nivel inicial de aglomeracion (principalmente en el sector industrial) y la posterior trayectoria de crecimiento regional. En la linea de los modelos de Nueva Geografia Economica (NEG), sugerimos que la presencia de economias de aglomeracion en un contexto de integracion de mercado favorecio la aparicion de una causacion acumulativa que amplio la desigualdad regional en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX y dificulto su reduccion durante las primeras decadas del siglo XX.
Endotoxemia Associated with Liver Disease Correlates with Systemic Inflammation and T Cell Exhaustion in Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Both acute and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are characterized by inflammation. HCV and reduced liver blood filtration contribute to inflammation; however, the mechanisms of systemic immune activation and dysfunction as a result of HCV infection are not clear. We measured circulating inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IP10, sCD163, sCD14), indices of endotoxemia (EndoCab, LBP, FABP), and T cell markers of exhaustion and senescence (PD-1, TIGIT, CD57, KLRG-1) in HCV-infected participants, and followed a small cohort after direct-acting anti-viral therapy. IL-6, IP10, Endocab, LBP, and FABP were elevated in HCV participants, as were T cell co-expression of exhaustion and senescence markers. We found positive associations between IL-6, IP10, EndoCab, LBP, and co-expression of T cell markers of exhaustion and senescence. We also found numerous associations between reduced liver function, as measured by plasma albumin levels, and T cell exhaustion/senescence, inflammation, and endotoxemia. We found positive associations between liver stiffness (TE score) and plasma levels of IL-6, IP10, and LBP. Lastly, plasma IP10 and the proportion of CD8 T cells co-expressing PD-1 and CD57 decreased after initiation of direct-acting anti-viral therapy. Although associations do not prove causality, our results support the model that translocation of microbial products, resulting from decreased liver blood filtration, during HCV infection drives chronic inflammation that results in T cell exhaustion/senescence and contributes to systemic immune dysfunction.
Effects of moderate drought extension on bacterial network structure in the rhizosphere soil of Leymus chinensis in semi-arid grasslands

Introduction Grasslands are home to complex bacterial communities whose dynamic interactions play a crucial role in organic matter and nutrient cycling. However, there is limited understanding regarding the impact of changes in rainfall amount and the duration of dry intervals on bacterial interactions. Methods To assess the impact of changes in precipitation volume and dry intervals on bacterial co-occurrence networks, we carried out precipitation manipulation experiments in the Eastern Eurasian Steppe of China. Results and Discussion We found that alterations in precipitation and dry intervals did not significantly affect bacterial alpha and beta diversity. However, we observed significant changes in the co-occurrence network structure of bacteria in the rhizosphere ecosystem, with the 12-day dry interval showing the most notable reduction in the number of degrees, edges, and clustering coefficient. Additionally, the study identified putative keystone taxa and observed that the moderately prolonged dry intervals between precipitation events had a major effect on the robustness of bacterial networks. The complexity and stability of the network were found to be positively correlated, and were primarily influenced by soil water content, phosphorous, and aboveground biomass, followed by available phosphorus (AP) and total biomass. These findings have the potential to enhance our comprehension of how bacterial co-occurrence pattern react to variations in dry intervals, by regulating their interactions in water-limited ecosystems. This, in turn, could aid in predicting the impact of precipitation regime alterations on ecosystem nutrient cycling, as well as the feedback between ecosystem processes and global climate change.
Identification of potential angiogenic biomarkers in human follicular fluid for predicting oocyte maturity

Background Angiogenesis in folliculogenesis contributes to oocyte developmental competence in natural and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. Therefore, the identification of key angiogenic factors in follicular fluid (FF) during folliculogenesis is clinically significant and important for in vitro fertilization. This study aims to identify the key angiogenic factors in FF for predicting oocyte maturity during in vitro fertilization. Materials and methods Forty participants who received ovarian stimulation using a GnRH antagonist protocol in their first in vitro fertilization treatment were recruited. From each patient, two follicular samples (one preovulatory follicle, > 18 mm; one mid-antral follicle, < 14 mm) were collected without flushing during oocyte retrieval. In total, 80 FF samples were collected from 40 patients. The expression profiles of angiogenesis-related proteins in FF were analyzed via Luminex high-performance assays. Recorded patient data included antral follicle count, anti-müllerian hormone, age, and BMI. Serum samples were collected on menstrual cycle day 2, the trigger day, and the day of oocyte retrieval. Hormone concentrations including day 2 FSH/LH/E2/P4, trigger day E2/LH/P4, and retrieval day E2/LH/P4 were measured by chemiluminescence assay. Results Ten angiogenic factors were highly expressed in FF: eotaxin, Gro-α, IL-8, IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, PAI-1 (Serpin), VEGF-A, CXCL-6, and HGF. The concentrations of eotaxin, IL-8, MCP1, PAI-1, and VEGF-A were significantly higher in preovulatory follicles than those in mid-antral follicles, while the Gro-α and CXCL-6 expressional levels were lower in preovulatory than in mid-antral follicles (p < 0.05). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that VEGF-A, eotaxin, and CXCL-6 were the three strongest predictors of oocyte maturity. The combination of VEGF-A and CXCL-6 predicted oocyte maturity with a higher sensitivity (91.7%) and specificity (72.7%) than other combinations. Conclusion Our findings suggest that VEGF-A, eotaxin, and CXCL-6 concentrations in FF strongly correlate with oocyte maturity from the mid-antral to preovulatory stage. The combination of VEGF-A and CXCL-6 exhibits a relatively good prediction rate of oocyte maturity during in vitro fertilization.
Thematic Contents of Mental Imagery are Shaped by Concurrent Task-Irrelevant Music

Imagination plays a key role in evidence-based, cognitive therapies, and recent research highlights that music – a perceptual stimulus imbued with affective and social meaning – can influence some aspects of imagination, such as vividness and emotional tone. However, little is known about music's capability to facilitate specific imagery themes that may be relevant for therapy. Here, we examine whether the quantity and quality (related to themes of affect, social dynamics, and confidence) of people's imagery is affected by the presence of task-irrelevant background music. One hundred participants imagined the continuation of a figure's journey while listening to different musical excerpts or silence. Written reports of imagined journeys underwent linguistic analysis to reveal the number of words belonging to the themes of interest. Bayesian Mixed Effects models revealed that music (vs. silence) led to longer reports and predicted imagery characterised by affect, social dynamics, and confidence. Implications for therapy are discussed.