Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metacognitive reflection and insight therapy (MERIT) for patients with schizophrenia

Abstract Background Impaired metacognition is associated with difficulties in the daily functioning of people with psychosis. Metacognition can be divided into four domains: Self-Reflection, Understanding the Other's Mind, Decentration, and Mastery. This study investigated whether Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) can be used to improve metacognition. Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial. Patients in the active condition (n = 35) received forty MERIT sessions, the control group (n = 35) received treatment as usual. Multilevel intention-to-treat and completers analyses were performed for metacognition and secondary outcomes (psychotic symptomatology, cognitive insight, Theory of Mind, empathy, depression, self-stigma, quality of life, social functioning, and work readiness). Results Eighteen out of 35 participants finished treatment, half the drop-out stemmed from therapist attrition (N = 5) or before the first session (N = 4). Intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that in both groups metacognition improved between pre- and post-measurements, with no significant differences between the groups. Patients who received MERIT continued to improve, while the control group returned to baseline, leading to significant differences at follow-up. Completers analysis (18/35) showed improvements on the Metacognition Assessment Scale (MAS-A) scales Self Reflectivity and metacognitive Mastery at follow-up. No effects were found on secondary outcomes. Conclusions On average, participants in the MERIT group were, based on MAS-A scores, at follow-up more likely to recognize their thoughts as changeable rather than as facts. MERIT might be useful for patients whose self-reflection is too limited to benefit from other therapies. Given how no changes were found in secondary measures, further research is needed. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Pancreas: The PathologicalViewpoint

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas are relatively rare, accounting for approximately 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms, and are composed of epithelial neoplastic cells with neuroendocrine differentiation. Neuroendocrine neoplasms are potentially malignant neoplasms including well-differentiated types (neuroendocrine tumors, neuroendocrine tumors) and poorly differentiated types (neuroendocrine carcinomas). The WHO classification released in 2010 led to a significant change in the grading system of neuroendocrine neoplasms of the digestive system. “Endocrine neoplasm” was changed to “neuroendocrine neoplasm”. Neuroendocrine neoplasms are graded according to the number of mitoses and/or Ki-67 index. These changes simplified the classification scheme. However, there are a number of remaining issues. Neuroendocrine tumors meeting the WHO criteria for neuroendocrine carcinoma (>20 mitoses/10 high power fields and/or Ki67 index > 20%) with a well-differentiated morphology, known as an “organoid pattern” have been identified. In the revised version of the “WHO Classification of Tumours of Endocrine Organs” published in 2017, to solve the problems of high-grade (grade 3) neuroendocrine neoplasms, they are divided into pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, grade 3 (PanNET G3) and neuroendocrine carcinomas, grade 3 (PanNEC G3) depending on their histo-morphologic characteristics. The neuroendocrine tumor G3 category is associated with a better prognosis and does not significantly responds to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Defining that subgroup of patients using a combination of tumor morphology and cell proliferation is important. Better strategies to treat and improve the outcomes of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms are required.
The Diabetes Drug Liraglutide Prevents Degenerative Processes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, most likely linked to an impairment of insulin signaling in the brain. The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) facilitates insulin signaling, and novel long-lasting GLP-1 analogs, such as liraglutide, are on the market as diabetes therapeutics. GLP-1 has been shown to have neuroprotective properties in vitro and in vivo. Here we tested the effects of peripherally injected liraglutide in an Alzheimer mouse model, APPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1). Liraglutide was shown to cross the blood–brain barrier in an acute study. Liraglutide was injected for 8 weeks at 25 nmol/kg body weight i.p. once daily in 7-month-old APP/PS1 and wild-type littermate controls. In APP/PS1 mice, liraglutide prevented memory impairments in object recognition and water maze tasks, and prevented synapse loss and deterioration of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, commonly observed in this model. Overall β-amyloid plaque count in the cortex and dense-core plaque numbers were reduced by 40–50%, while levels of soluble amyloid oligomers were reduced by 25%. The inflammation response as measured by activated microglia numbers was halved in liraglutide-treated APP/PS1 mice. Numbers of young neurons in the dentate gyrus were increased in APP/PS1 mice with treatment. Liraglutide treatment had little effect on littermate control mice, whose behavior was comparable to wild-type saline controls; however, synaptic plasticity was enhanced in the drug group. Our results show that liraglutide prevents key neurodegenerative developments found in Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that GLP-1 analogs represent a novel treatment strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
Buzz in Social Media: Detection of Short-lived Viral Phenomena

Social media interaction happens in a broad variety of context and magnitude. The vast majority of posts cause little to no discussion, while some start trends and become viral. We study the virality, explicitly of "Buzzes" - posts that evoke intense interaction over a short period of time, as they have been observed frequently, some- times with severe consequences for individuals and companies in the physical world. Early detection of a Buzz may help mitigate or prevent negative consequences of large scale social media outrage against companies or persons, by giving them a chance to react at an early stage. Collecting a labeled set of over 100,000 posts on Facebook pages, we first explore properties that define a Buzz using logistic regres- sion. This method helps us to interpret the results and derive prac- tical recommendations. We subsequently train classifiers and apply machine learning based classification techniques to demonstrate the potential capabilities of automated prediction. We achieve high recall with moderate precision, where feature boosting on broad feature sets yields the most promising results. Our study reveals that Buzzes are well described by a high num- ber of comments from previously passive users, a high number of likes given to comments, and a prolonged discussion period - properties that can be used to distinguish inconsequential posts from potentially volatile ones.
Genomic approaches to the improvement of disease resistance in farm animals.

As a result of the difficulties in improving disease resistance in farm animals by traditional phenotype selection, the achievement of such improvement is one of the most important applications of genome research. The major hurdle to this important goal is the collection of informative disease records to enable the segregation of disease resistance loci (DRL) to be traced in pedigrees. This paper reviews the principles for DRL identification by association analyses or by linkage analyses. Once linkage has been established, the location of the DRL may be further refined, a process which may eventually lead to the molecular characterisation of the causative gene(s) and mutation(s). A reliable map assignment of a DRL is sufficient for the practical utilisation of this knowledge, since the inheritance of the DRL can be traced by flanking markers. Marker-assisted selection concerns the use of linked markers for selection within populations, while marker-assisted introgression is used if DRL alleles are introgressed from a donor (resource) population.
Finite Element Analysis of Stationary Magnetic Field

Physical phenomena of electromagnetic nature are described by Maxwell’s equations from the mathematical point of view. These are differential equations with the given boundary conditions. By means of them, the exact solution of the problem is obtained. In this way, the value of function or functions in any point of the studied range is calculated. This represents the analytical way for solving the problems.
Extraction of anionic dye, Alizarin Red S, from industrial waste waters using active carbon derived from the stems of Achyranthes Aspera plant as bio-adsorbent

The surface sorption nature of the activated carbon derived from Achyranthes aspera plant (ACAA) towards an anionic dye, Alizarin red S has been investigated by adopting batch modes of extraction using simulated water. The influence of various physicochemical parameters like pH, sorbent concentration, agitation time, temperature and initial concentration of the dye have been probed and the conditions have been optimized for the maximum removal of the dye. The effect of the presence of fivefold excess of co-ions on the % removal of the dye has been investigated. The adsorption data is analyzed for understanding the nature of adsorption using Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherms and found that the Langmuir model has better describes the adsorption process indicating the homogenous mono-layer nature of the adsorbate (Dye) layer on the adrsorbent, ACAA. The RL= 0.48 of the Langmuir model indicates that the adsorption of the dye is onto the surface of the active carbon, ACAA and further, the sorption of the dye is confirmed using FTIR data. The kinetics of adsorption has been analyzed using pseudo first order and pseudo second order models and observed that the adsorption kinetics follows pseudo second order as it has R2 vale: 0.9757 which approaches to 1. The thermodynamics parameters namely; ΔH, ΔS and ΔG revealed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption process. The procedures developed in this investigation have been applied to the samples collected from the effluents of textile industries and found to be successful.
DEVELOPMENT OF A COMBINATION FORCED OSCILLATION - SPIROMETER DEVICE

We developed a novel device, called the oscillation spirometer (OS) that can track changes in respiratory system impedance (Zrs) and can provide standard measures of respiratory resistance and spirometry. Current devices do not easily track temporal variation in Zrs. The device consists of a self-actuated piston containing an airflow resistance. During spirometry mode, the screen mesh pneumotachograph (PT) is stationary while during oscillation modes the PT translates generating oscillatory pressure. The actuator position is monitored continuously by a laser position sensing detector. To facilitate the design process, we developed a computer simulation of the actuator including mechanical and electromechanical compartments. A second model was created to simulate the patient Zrs and the two models were coupled and used to optimize design parameters such as magnet size, stroke volume, and piston cross-section, in a recursive design process. The result was a portable device with optimal stroke volume for expected patient loads. Three different designs were considered for the airflow resistance (orifice, groove and screen mesh resistances), and were tested using mock-up models. The final screen mesh resistance was linear, with a 98% lower 2nd order nonlinearity term than the next best design, and met American Thoracic Society standards. The OS could be used as a hand-held spirometer, or as a mounted FOT device suitable for detecting respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and its variation. It therefore has the potential to have a substantial impact in the respiratory market.
April 1996 LIDS-P-2327 Multiscale segmentation of SAR imagery *

In this paper, we propose an efficient multiscale approach for the segmentation of natural clutter, specifically grass and forest, in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. This method exploits the coherent nature of SAR sensors. In particular, we exploit the characteristic statistical differences in imagery of different clutter types, as a function of scale, due to radar speckle. We employ a recently introduced class of multiscale stochastic processes that provide a powerful framework for describing random processes and fields that evolve in scale. We build models representative of each category of clutter of interest (i.e. grass and forest), and use these models to segment the imagery into these two clutter classes. The scale-autoregressive nature of the models allows extremely efficient calculation of the relative likelihoods of different clutter classifications for windows of SAR imagery, and we use these likelihoods as the basis for classifying image pixels and for accurately estimating forest-grass boundaries. We evaluate the performance of the technique by testing it on 0.3 meter SAR data gathered with the Lincoln Laboratory Millimeter-Wave SAR.
Perceptual encoding and the stimulus probability effect.

Perceptual Encoding and the Stimulus Probability Effect (September, 1982) Randall S. Hansen, B.S., University of Illinois M.S., University of Massachusetts Directed by: Professor Arnold D. Well Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of stimulus probability on perceptual encoding. In Experiment 1, the role of an abstract code as a mediator of the effect was tested. Subjects viewed and responded to stimuli in conditions which either encouraged or discouraged the use of abstract codes. Contrary to prediction, the effect of probability tended to be greater at a low level of stimulus contrast when the use of abstract codes was discouraged, and unaffected by contrast when their use was encouraged. Subjects 1 responses to a questionnaire indicated that the use of abstract codes was determined to some extent by individual strategies. It was proposed that it is unnecessary to appeal to an abstract code that differs from a name code as a mediator of the probability effect at encoding. In Experiments 2 and 3, the degree to which the probability effect at encoding may be explained by sequential expectancy effects was examined. The probability effect was greater at low contrast in Experiment 2, and the results of Experiment 3 indicated a similar trend. The magnitude of the contrast effect did not vary as a function of the preceding stimulus sequence in either experiment. Previous results have shown that the size of the contrast effect does not depend on whether or not the ensuing stimulus is preceded by a valid cue. These findings were interpreted as suggesting that the probability effect at encoding is the result of a relatively static mechanism in which expectancies do not shift over trials.
Peer feedback: moving from assessment of learning to assessment for learning

The following case study showcases a model of academic peer learning that has demonstrated clear links to learning development in final year students. The paper discusses the introduction of a new assessment structure for a 15 credit course unit usually taken by 90 students in the form of a short discursive essay (500 words) due early in the first teaching term. This essay is peer assessed in groups of four students. The peer feedback and tutor mark then serve as formative feedback ( feed forward ) for the main, longer essay (2-2,500 words) due in the second teaching term. Following the outline of the case background, details of the peer assessment are provided, including its development and structure. The new assessment structure has resulted in deeper learning, positive student feedback, fewer student complaints with regard to grades received for the main essay, and better preparation for the final exam. Reflections are offered in the conclusion. AÂ
A new species of the genus Riccardoella (Acari: Prostigmata: Ereynetidae) from the land snail Tauphaedusa tau (Gastropoda: Clausliidae) in Japan.

A new mite species, Riccardoella (Proriccardoella) tokyoensis n. sp. , is described from the lungs of the terrestrial gastropod Tauphaedusa tau (Boettger, 1877) (Clausliidae) collected in a forest city park of Tokyo, Japan. The new species is distinguished from other Riccardoella species by the following morphological characters: tibia II bears 2 setae (vs. 3 setae in other species); femur I bears 5 setae (vs. 4 or 6 setae in other species); seta of trochanter I is absent (vs. 1 seta in other species). Our phylogenetic tree based on amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) confirmed that another member of the family Ereynetidae, "Ereynetidae sp. ", is the closest relative with 85% sequence identity.
Mercury-induced Ca 2 + increase and cytotoxicity in renal tubular cells

The effect of mercury (Hg ), a known nephrotoxicant, on intracellular free Ca + levels ([Ca ]i) in Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells was explored. [Ca ]i was measured by using the Ca 2 -sensitive dye fura-2. Hg + increased [Ca ]i in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 6 AM. The Ca 2 + signal comprised a gradual increase. Removal of extracellular Ca + decreased the Hg -induced [Ca ]i increase by 27%, suggesting that the Ca + signal was due to both extracellular Ca + influx and store Ca + release. In Ca -free medium, the Hg -induced [Ca ]i increase was nearly abolished by pretreatment with 1 AM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca + pump inhibitor), and conversely, pretreatment with Hg + abolished thapsigargin-induced Ca + increase. Hg -induced Ca + release was not altered by inhibition of phospholipase C but was potentiated by activation of protein kinase C. Overnight treatment with 1 AM Hg + did not alter cell proliferation rate and mitochondrial activity, but 10 AM Hg + killed all cells. Collectively, this study shows that Hg + induced protein kinase C-regulated [Ca ]i increases in renal tubular cells via releasing store Ca 2 + from the endoplasmic reticulum in a manner independent of phospholipase C activity. Hg + also caused cytotoxicity at higher concentrations. D 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
No . E 2012 / 4 Effectiveness and Efficiency of SME Innovation Policy

This paper assesses UK innovation policy impact on a large, population weighted, sample of both service and manufacturing SMEs. By focussing on self-reported innovation the study achieves a wider coverage of the effects of SME innovation policy than possible with more traditional indicators. Propensity score matching indicates that SMEs receiving UK state support for innovation were more likely to innovate than unsupported comparable enterprises. Innovating enterprises are shown to have grown significantly faster over the years 2002-4 when other growth influences are appropriately controlled. Combining these two results and comparing the outlays on SME innovation policy with the estimated effects suggests that policy was efficient as well as effective. There is evidence that SME tax credits were expensive compared with earlier support instruments. But the overall high returns estimated suggest that, even in times of public spending cuts, persisting with SME innovation policy would be prudent.
The Impact of Auditory and Visual Experience with Wind Turbines on Support for Wind Production and Proximity-Based Opposition

ABSTRACT Community acceptance is a key factor contributing to the outcome of wind power deployment efforts. This study considers the views of an experientially informed subset of the public: individuals living in select Washington and California counties that have active wind farms. We divide respondents into two groups based on a qualitative measure of their proximity—those who can see or hear turbines from their homes and those who cannot—and empirically examine the effect that exposure has on the support expressed for wind farms at different proposed locations. We find that negative perceptions of aesthetics and fear of property value reductions are major determinants of opposition. However, all else equal, those currently living near turbines are more sympathetic toward them, feeling that turbines are more attractive and less disturbing than those who live farther away. We propose four possible explanations for this phenomenon: familiarity, rationalization, desensitization, and economics.
RNA-Seq Characterization of Spinal Cord Injury Transcriptome in Acute/Subacute Phases: A Resource for Understanding the Pathology at the Systems Level

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological disease without effective treatment. To generate a comprehensive view of the mechanisms involved in SCI pathology, we applied RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology to characterize the temporal changes in global gene expression after contusive SCI in mice. We sequenced tissue samples from acute and subacute phases (2 days and 7 days after injury) and systematically characterized the transcriptomes with the goal of identifying pathways and genes critical in SCI pathology. The top enriched functional categories include “inflammation response,” “neurological disease,” “cell death and survival” and “nervous system development. ” The top enriched pathways include LXR/RXR Activation and Atherosclerosis Signaling, etc. Furthermore, we developed a systems-based analysis framework in order to identify key determinants in the global gene networks of the acute and sub-acute phases. Some candidate genes that we identified have been shown to play important roles in SCI, which demonstrates the validity of our approach. There are also many genes whose functions in SCI have not been well studied and can be further investigated by future experiments. We have also incorporated pharmacogenomic information into our analyses. Among the genes identified, the ones with existing drug information can be readily tested in SCI animal models. Therefore, in this study we have described an example of how global gene profiling can be translated to identifying genes of interest for functional tests in the future and generating new hypotheses. Additionally, the RNA-Seq enables splicing isoform identification and the estimation of expression levels, thus providing useful information for increasing the specificity of drug design and reducing potential side effect. In summary, these results provide a valuable reference data resource for a better understanding of the SCI process in the acute and sub-acute phases.
Preadolescents and their friends

In the current study, associations between individual and friends’ direct and indirect aggression and depressive problems were examined. It was expected that social status would moderate these associations such that low-status preadolescents would be more similar to their unilateral friends with regard to indirect, but not direct, aggression. Furthermore, it was expected that preadolescents’ depressive problems were positively associated to reciprocal friends’ depressive problems, in particular in low-status preadolescents. The hypotheses were tested by studying unilateral and reciprocal friendships in 204 children (Mage=10.90; SD=0.78; 44.1% girls). Direct and indirect aggression and depressive problems were assessed via both self- and peer-reports. Social status was assessed via peer-reported rejection (i.e., dislike) and popularity (i.e., who do others want to be associated with). Analyses showed partial support for the hypotheses, showing that individual and unilateral friends’ self-reported indirect and direct aggression were positively associated in preadolescents who were lower on popularity. Moreover, in preadolescents who were more rejected by peers, depressive problems were positively associated to reciprocal friends’ depressive problems. The current study highlights the importance of including social status and distinguishing between unilateral and reciprocal friendships when examining associations between individual and friends’ behavior.