Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE MODERATING ROLE OF MINDFULNESS SKILLS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS

OF DISSERTATION THE MODERATING ROLE OF MINDFULNESS SKILLS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY FEATURES AND ASSOCIATED PROBLEMATIC BEHAVIORS Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience intense affect and emotional dyscontrol that may lead them to engage in maladaptive coping strategies and behaviors such as substance use, alcohol use, risky sexual behavior, aggression, and emotional eating. Theory posits that mindfulness, a mental state in which one is attentive, aware, and accepting of the present moment, may lead to increased tolerance of emotional distress. The present study sought to investigate the role of dispositional mindfulness as a moderating factor in the relationship between BPD features and related problematic behaviors using structural equation modeling and regression analyses in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, respectively. Undergraduate students completed questionnaires assessing borderline personality symptoms, trait mindfulness, and incidence of substance use, alcohol use, risky sexual behavior, aggression, and emotional eating over the past 30 days at two time points, three months apart. Results suggested that mindfulness does not moderate the relationship between BPD features and problematic behaviors in either the cross-sectional and longitudinal samples. There was also no evidence to suggest that any one facet of mindfulness moderated the relationship above the other facets in both samples. Findings highlight the need to continue to investigate the driving force behind the incidence of problematic behaviors in individuals with BPD.
A retrospective analysis of dental implants in patients who received a mandibular overdenture with locator attachment

Aim: The objective of this study is to retrospectively examine the relative superiorities of mandibular overdenture dental implants in terms of diameter, length, age and sex, and to determine the rate of implant survival. Material and Methods: The demographic data showing the age, sex and dental implant distribution by age of 138 patients who underwent dental implant treatment at our clinic between 2011 and 2016 were retrieved from the archival records. Patients who underwent mandibular overdenture with two implant-supported locater attachments were included in the study. The anatomical locations, diameter and length characteristics and rate of loss of the implants were analyzed by way of descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Of 138 patients, 69 were female (50%) and 69 were male (50%), and a total number of 276 dental implants were evaluated. When distribution of these implants was examined, it was found that they were mostly placed in the region of 33-43 (94.2%). The mean age of the patients was 63 with an age range of 40 to 87 years. It was found that the dental implants were applied mostly in patients ranging in age from 60 to 69 years (52.8%). The most common implant diameters were 4 mm (18%), 4.2 mm (18%) and 4.5 mm (17%), respectively. The most common implant lengths were 12 mm (32%) and 14 mm (30%). The rate of implant survival was found to be 97.8%. Conclusion: The mandibular two-implant retained overdenture prosthesis with a locator attachment is a successful treatment method with a high survival rate when factors such as diameter and length of the implant and age and sex of the patient are taken into consideration.
Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS) as an indicator for counterproductive work behavior: Comparing validity in applicant, honest, and directed faking conditions

ABSTRACT The predictive validity of the Tailored Adaptive Personality Assessment System (TAPAS), the U.S. Army’s first computer-adaptive personality test incorporating multidimensional pairwise preference items, has been demonstrated for training performance in both the Army and Air Force. While the unique TAPAS format has been described as more resistant to applicant faking than traditional self-report personality measures, evidence regarding the magnitude of applicant score distortion on TAPAS, and how such distortion (if present) may affect reliability and validity, has been limited. To address this gap, the present study compared operational TAPAS scores of Air Force enlisted recruits (administered pre-accession to applicants) to their post-accession retest scores under honest and directed faking (“fake good”) conditions (based on re-administration of TAPAS during Basic Military Training). Data are presented on the relationship of applicant pre-accession scores to their retest scores under honest conditions (a form of test-retest reliability) and the magnitude of mean score differences in applicant, honest, and directed faking conditions is documented. Further, the validity of the TAPAS as an indicator for counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) was evaluated. Results indicate that TAPAS scores are relatively stable over time and the TAPAS methodology appears to reduce score distortion. In addition, the results suggest that the validities of the TAPAS scores as CWB correlates are comparable across honest and directed faking testing conditions and generally in line with those found for traditional Likert-type self-report Big Five measures.
Achievement goals, PERMA and life satisfaction: A mediational analysis

This study explores the correlation between achievement goals and positive emotion, engagement, relationship, meaning and accomplishment (PERMA) which might affect life satisfaction for Indonesian students in English education programs. The present study employed 260 of Indonesian students in English education programs, selected by using cluster random sampling. The students were enrolled in undergraduate 223 (85.8%) and postgraduate 37 (14.2%). The study follows a correlational research design to measure the degree of relationship between achievement goals, PERMA and life satisfaction. We employed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with AMOS 18 to analyze the data. Results indicate that achievement goals and PERMA influence positively life satisfaction. Moreover, PERMA is positive full mediators meaning that students who adopt achievement goals with high PERMA would probably have good life satisfaction. In conclusion, PERMA and achievement goals have an positive effect on students’ life satisfaction.
Smoking, Education and the Ability to Predict Own SurvivalProbabilities: An Observational Study on US Data

Background: Subjective survival probabilities (SSPs) are a good predictor of mortality, go beyond the aggregate description of survival defined by life tables, and are important for individuals’ decision-making in later life. Despite the well-known mortality differentials by education as well as by characteristics such as smoking, little investigation has focused on SSPs by population sub-groups. Methods: We use data on individuals aged 50-89 from the Health and Retirement Study(HRS) carried out in the USA between 2000 and 2012 (N=23,895). Each respondent was asked to assess the probability to survive to a given target age according to their age at the time of the survey. We assess how individuals’ SSPs and estimated objective survival probabilities (OSPs) vary by education and smoking and calculate, for each respondent, the gap between them. Results: Consistently with real mortality patterns, smokers report the lowest SSPs, both among lower and higher educated people. When comparing SSPs and OSPs we find that, irrespectively of the smoking status, higher educated people are more likely to correctly predict their survival probabilities than their lower educated counterparts. Within both education groups, past smokers better predict their survival probability. Current smokers with low education show the highest probability to overestimate their survival probability. Conclusions: Lower educated people and smokers are aware of their lower life expectancy. Still, they overestimate their survival probabilities more than the higher educated and non-smokers. Our findings emphasize the need for policy makers to disseminate information about the risks of smoking, targeting people with lower education.
Replacement of Sand with Bauxite Mining Waste in Concrete Production

The use of natural sand as fine aggregate in concrete is becoming problematic due to scarcity and pressure on mining of the resource. Alternate sources such as the use of industrial waste as replacement of natural sand in concrete are gaining popularity as a sustainable construction material. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of using bauxite mining waste as a fine aggregate replacement for concrete production. The quantities of sand replaced with bauxite mining waste used are 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Cube, cylinder and beam specimens were molded and cured for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and tested for density, compressive strength, tensile splitting strength and flexural strength. The study found that there was a slight increase in density of bauxite mining waste produced concrete over the control as the quantity of bauxite residue increased. The study further revealed a significant increase in compressive, tensile splitting and flexural strengths of the concrete produced with bauxite residue as compared with the control, with an increase between 60.3 and 65.5%. Additionally, a good correlation was established between the bauxite contents and the density of concrete produced with bauxite mining waste, recording R 2 values between 0.9749 and 0.9896. The 100% bauxite residue replacement of sand obtained the highest strength properties in the concrete. The study, therefore, concludes that it is feasible to use bauxite mining waste as a fine aggregate replacement in concrete production. It is recommended that further studies should be conducted on the durability and chemical properties of concrete produced with bauxite mining waste as the current study only focused on the strength properties.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Carrier for Targeting Anti-Tumor Therapeutics

Author(s): Wu, Jian | Abstract: Current chemotherapy is not tumor-selective and gives rise to severe adverse effects for patients. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit a unique tumor-homing property and could be used as a drug carrier for targeting tumor therapy. The tumor-homing property of MSCs depends on the hypoxia and inflammatory status in the tumor, and is modulated by factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) or other cytokines released from tumors. MSCs may be isolated from umbilical cord blood or adipose tissues, and are readily engineered for carrying therapeutics, such as oncolytic adenovirus, specific cytotoxic molecules, nucleotides, prodrugs cytokines or antibodies, or to produce therapeutic molecules within a tumor site. The most promising therapeutics include blockers for VEGF, prodrugs (e.g. ganciclovir), oncolytic adenovirus, thymidine kinase, and pro-apoptotic “TRAIL”. The efficacy of these bio-engineered MSCs has been evaluated in animal models of pulmonary, breast, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic cancer xenografts grown in immune-deficient mice, and their safety has been shown in some early phase human trials, but they have yet not been moved to later phase clinical application. Although these novel approaches are promising, MSCs may have some risks for cancer patients since MSCs are found to be immunosuppressive in tumor sites, are pro-angiogenic, and in some cases may promote tumor growth. Therefore, whether bio-engineered MSCs will be a useful therapeutic vehicle depends on the property of the specially engineered cell population, tumor types and locations, as well as the time and route of administration of MSCs-based therapeutics. This chapter discusses approaches to utilize MSCs’ tumor-homing properties for improving current cancer therapy.
Histological and Physiological Studies on the Long-term Effect of Different Concentrations of Energy Drink (Tiger) on the Renal and Hepatic Systems of Young Mice

هذه الدراسة تهدف الى التحقق من التأثيرات الفسلجية والنسيجية المرضية لاستعمال طويل الامد لتراكيز مختلفة من مشروب الطاقة الاكثر شيوعا لدينا على الكبد والكلية لفئران صغيرة السن. فئران بأعمار ست اسابيع من نوع البينو تم تقسيمها الى اربعة مجاميع. المجموعة الاولى تناولت مشروب الطاقة بتركيز 28مايكرليتر/مللتر ماء, وتم قتلها بعد عشرة ايام (T1). المجموعة الاخرى تناولت مشروب الطاقة لنفس التركيز لكن تم قتلها بعد 20 يوم (T2). المجموعة الثالثة تناولت مشروب الطاقة بتركيز 14مايكرليتر/مللتر ماء ولمدة 20 يوم (T4). المجموعة الرابعة تم تجهيزها بالماء فقط لتكون مجوعة سيطرة. تم قتل الفئران و تجميع عينات الدم و اعضاء الفئران (الكبد والكلية). الدراسة النسيجية المرضية لمقاطع كبد الفئران التي تناولت مشروب الطاقة اظهرت تغيرات كثيرة كترشح خلايا التهابية وتجمعها في الكبد مع تنكز لبعض المناطق وبعضها قد امتلأت بخلايا الدم الحمراء والالتهابية بينما كانت التغيرات في كلى المجاميع التي تناولت مشاريب الطاقة محدودة حيث اقتصرت على تجمعات لخلايا الدم الحراء والالتهابية بين الانيبيبات البولية والذي يعرب عن تنكس وعائي. هذه التغيرات اتفقت مع ما وجد من ارتفاع بالأنزيمات الخاصة بوظائف الكبد (GPT, GOT, و ALP) اضافه الى اليوريا والكرياتنين الخاصة بوظائف الكلية. هذه التغييرات كانت متزايدة في مجموعة T2 ولهذا يمكننا ان نستنتج ان تناول مشاريب الطاقة لمدة طويلة تؤثر نسيجيا و فسلجيا على الكلية والكبد للفئران صغيرة السن وهذا التأثير يعتمد على تركيز مشروب الطاقة ومدة تعاطيه.
Cranial and postcranial remains of a new species of Prochelidella (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from ‘La Buitrera’ (Cenomanian of Patagonia, Argentina), with comments on the monophyly of this extinct chelid genus from southern Gondwana

The genus Prochelidella is the oldest known panchelid taxon. It is widely distributed in several Cretaceous basins throughout Patagonia, Argentina. It was previously known from three named species. A fourth species presented herein, Prochelidella buitreraensis sp. nov., preserves both cranial and postcranial material from the Candeleros Formation (La Buitrera Area) of Río Negro Province, Argentina. Features observed in the nuchal bone (i.e. wide, trapezoidal cervical vertebrae, shallow nuchal notch) allow us to assign this specimen to the genus Prochelidella. Several specific traits (i.e. a large open retropterygoideum foramen, and a strongly developed muscle attachment site on the basisphenoid) suggest that the form from the Candeleros Formation is a new species of the genus Prochelidella. A phylogenetic analysis that includes the three best-preserved species of Prochelidella recovers this taxon as monophyletic. The Cenomanian age of this new taxon allows us to compare the panchelid turtles from the Patagonian (Neuquen) and Australian (Surat) basins. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E9D194C7-126D-46B6-BF75-BD1A51A74971
Differences in gay and heterosexual men’s emotional restriction through their femininity: an Irish study

ABSTRACT Emotional expression plays a vital role in men’s mental health. However, emotionality is still perceived as a feminine response and its restriction is enmeshed in male identity. Gay men’s supposed relationship to femininity infers they are less emotionally restrictive. This paper offers evidence and theory that counters this. A quantitative study (n = 300) was undertaken on self identified heterosexual and gay adult men contacted through targeted social media websites. Research questions explored if there were differences in emotional restriction in gay and heterosexual men, and if stereotypical gender characteristics (masculinity, femininity) influence these variations. Constructs and corresponding scales measured conflicted gender roles, restricted emotionality and gender role scores. Findings revealed no statistical emotional restriction differences between gay and heterosexual men. However, there were significant differences in their gender roles. Specifically, heterosexual men’s emotional restriction was dictated by a combination of high masculinity and low femininity scores (which calculates a masculine category), and the avoidance of femininity suggested by low femininity scores. Gay men’s higher femininity scores and reduced frequency in the masculine category would (mistakenly) suggest lower emotional restriction scores. The findings suggest that gay men construe femininity differently to heterosexual men, affecting their emotional expression.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA Sulfate: Roles in Brain Function and Disease

Among the neuroactive steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (3b-hydroxyandrost-5-ene17-one, [DHEA]) and its sulfated metabolite DHEA sulfate (DHEAS) have been shown to be potent modulators of neural function, including neurogenesis, neuronal growth and differentiation, and neuroprotection. Highlighting the potential health significance of DHEA and DHEAS in humans, serum concentrations decrease steadily with age, with lowest concentrations present at the time many diseases of aging and neurodegeneration become apparent. This temporal association has led to the suggestion that pathology associated with cognitive decline, age-related neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and adult onset schizophrenia may, in part at least, be attributed to decreased secretion of DHEA. Animal studies suggest neuroprotective functions for DHEA and DHEAS through reduction of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Reduced myelin loss and reactive gliosis after spinal cord injury by DHEA treatment also suggest a role for DHEA in the treatment of white matter pathologies such as multiple sclerosis. In this chapter, we discuss the physiological roles of DHEA and DHEAS in the central nervous system (CNS), their potential as neuroprotective hormones with reference to documented effects on excitotoxicity and oxidative stress, and their anti-glucocorticoid actions during chronic stress. The potential for metabolic derivatives of DHEA, such as estrogens and testosterone on brain function, and their contribution to neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative conditions are also discussed.
Clinical correlation of ovarian mass with ultrasound findings and histopathology report

Background: As the ovarian malignancy is most common among genital malignancy, the diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumour helps us to plan the treatment modality like neoadjuvant chemotherapy, chemoradiation, radiotherapy, surgery and fertility sparing surgery depending upon stage of the disease and age of the patient. This study correlates between the clinical and ultrasound findings of ovarian tumours to diagnose the nature of the tumour whether benign or malignant and offer appropriate treatment and finally correlated with histopathology report. The aim of this study was to correlate clinical, USG morphology, colour doppler indices in ovarian mass with histopathology report. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at Saveetha Medical college and hospital between June 2016 to May 2017 for women who were clinically diagnosed to have ovarian mass and operated for it. These patients underwent trans vaginal (if married) or trans abdominal ultrasound and Doppler using GE S7 expert or Sonoline Acuson x300 (siemens) or Philips HD 11xE. Based on clinical findings and on the characterization of the image in USG and colour doppler findings it will be concluded whether the mass is benign or malignant. This is correlated with HPE report. Results: Out of 113 women studied ovarian mass diagnosed clinically as benign in 78%and malignant in 21%. USG prediction of ovarian cancer was 88.00% sensitivity, 80.68% specificity. When Doppler findings were included sensitivity was 91.43% and specificity was 91.03%. The combined use of clinical and USG with Doppler for diagnosis of ovarian malignancy was 92.31% sensitive and 95.95% specific. The positive predictive value of combined use of clinical and USG with Doppler for diagnosis of ovarian malignancy was 92.31%. Conclusions: From this study clinical, USG and Doppler are important modalities in diagnosing benign or malignant ovarian tumour. When both are combined the diagnostic value is extremely high. This aids in planning the management.
Toeing the Informed Trading Line

This paper investigates how personal connections facilitate informed option trading prior to corporate events. We identify person-to-person connections between hedge funds and companies before merger and acquisitions announcements and find that fund managers’ pre-announcement option holdings predict the direction and size of the acquirers’ stock return. This return predictability is more pronounced when connections form through funds’ senior officials, Ivy League networks, and MBA programs, thus highlighting the importance of fund managers’ ability to access and process private information for informed trading. For regulators, our results identify a channel for material private information dissemination between network participants.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Physical Activity for Influencing Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Older Adults

Exercise and other forms of physical activity are known to have a variety of physiologic and fitness benefits for older adults. Less is known, however, about whether physical activity can improve quality-of-life in older adults. Quality-of-life is defined in terms of multiple concepts pertaining to day-to-day functioning and well-being. This article presents a conceptual framework of quality-of-life concepts that are appropriate for evaluating the efficacy of physical activity in older adults. The available studies of the relationship of exercise or physical activity to each concept are reviewed. The concepts are organized into seven categories: physical functioning, cognitive functioning, activities (self-maintenance, role, social, recreation/hobbies), bodily well-being, emotional well-being, self-concept, and global perceptions, including health perceptions and life satisfaction. Methodological and measurement issues are noted that are of special relevance for quality-of-life and exercise studies. Very few exercise studies were found that evaluated intervention efficacy in terms of quality-of-life in older adults. Those that were available focused on a limited number of components of quality-of-life. Because the few studies available generally found beneficial effects, the study of exercise- related quality-of-life outcomes is a promising area for future study.
Efeitos de manejo e rotação de culturas em atributos físicos e químicos do solo e na produtividade da soja

O plantio direto abrange grandes áreas cultivadas no Brasil, sendo considerado adequado para a sustentabilidade dos agroecossistemas brasileiros. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo e de rotação de culturas sobre os atributos físicos e químicos do solo, como também sobre a produtividade da soja. O experimento foi conduzido por quatro anos (2014-2017) na área experimental do Departamento de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa Agropecuária (DDPA) / Secretaria da Agricultura, Pecuária e Desenvolvimento Rural (SEAPDR), Vacaria, RS. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em: plantio direto com sucessão de culturas (PDs), plantio direto com rotação de culturas (PDr), escarificado com rotação de culturas (Er) e preparo convencional com rotação de culturas (PCr). Foram avaliadas características químicas (MO, P, K e pH) e físicas (densidade, macroporosidade e microporosidade) do solo e a produtividade da cultura da soja. Após quatro anos de condução do experimento, os atributos químicos do solo não sofreram modificações pelos manejos adotados, porém houve um aumento dos teores de matéria orgânica em todos os tratamentos avaliados. Para as variáveis físicas macro e microporosidade do solo não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos, mas a densidade do solo mostrou-se sensível para a mudança no preparo do solo. A produtividade não apresentou diferença entre os tratamentos. Os resultados preliminares mostram que a curto prazo não há necessidade de manejar o solo a cada três anos em áreas que utilizam a técnica do plantio direto.