Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
'To me, it's like a little box of tricks': Breaking the depressive interlock as a programme participant in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

OBJECTIVES Mindfulness meditation practices have become increasingly popular in clinical therapies, changing patterns of depressogenic thinking for individuals who experience consecutive episodes of depression. We were interested in finding out how mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) worked for programme participants by focussing on how meditative practices changed their relationships with their thoughts. DESIGN Data for the study came from six semi-structured research interviews carried out with individuals who had taken part in an 8-week MBCT programme. METHODS We used interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyse the experiential accounts. RESULTS We report on two superordinate themes - Engaging the Neutral Mind (with subordinate themes 'breaking the paralysis of worry' and 'choosing to think differently') and Experiencing the Neutral Mind (with subordinate themes of 'reflection on previous thinking styles' and 'becoming psychologically self-reliant'). CONCLUSIONS Themes from the present study offer support to the assertion that mindfulness meditation helps facilitate a different mode of meta-cognitive processing with which to handle depression-related cognitions. PRACTITIONER POINTS Participants reported that they experienced an enhanced capacity to differentiate between their thought processes, experiencing an ability to tolerate some more uncomfortable thoughts, and experiencing a/more choice in how to respond to thoughts. Participants recognized that ruminating over negative thoughts was related to depressive states and experienced a shift in meta-cognitive processes that actively challenged depressogenic cognitions. Participants became more psychologically self-reliant and therapeutically independent following MBCT. Integrating mindfulness-based practices in therapy may be a mediating factor in sustaining psychological well-being and may help clients develop self-compassion. Future research looks to examining exit cases to understand elements of MBCT which are experienced as less successful by clients.
Synaesthesia lost and found: Two cases of person- and music-colour synaesthesia

Synaesthesia is a developmental condition involving cross-communication between sensory modalities or substreams whereby an inducer (e.g. a sound) automatically evokes a concurrent percept in another modality (e.g. a colour). Whether this condition arises due to atypical structural connectivity (e.g., between normally unconnected cortical areas) or altered neurochemistry remains a central question. We report the exceptional cases of two synaesthetes – subjects AB and CD – both of whom experience coloured auras around individuals, as well as coloured perceptions in response to music. Both subjects have, in recent years, suffered a complete loss or reduction of their synaesthetic experiences, one (AB) through successive head traumas, including a lightning strike, followed by a number of medications, and the other (CD) while taking anxiolytic medications. Using semi-structured interviews and data from the Synaesthesia Battery and a colourpicker task, we characterise the phenomenological characteristics of their pre-loss synaesthesia, as well as the subsequent restoration of each subject's synaesthetic experiences (in the months post-trauma for AB, and after cessation of medication for CD). Even after years of suppression, the patterns of associations were highly consistent with those experienced pre-injury. The phenomenological experience of synaesthesia can, thus, like most conscious experiences, be modulated by pharmacologically diverse medications or head injury. However, the underlying neural substrates mediating specific synaesthetic pairings appear remarkably “hard-wired” and can persist over very long periods even under conditions that alter or completely suppress the conscious synaesthetic experience itself.
Velocardiofacial syndrome in childhood-onset schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES Deletion of chromosome 22q11 (velocardiofacial syndrome) is associated with early neurodevelopmental abnormalities and with schizophrenia in adults. The rate of 22q11 deletions was examined in a series of patients with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS), in whom early premorbid developmental and cognitive impairments are more pronounced than in adult-onset cases. METHOD Through extensive recruiting and screening, a cohort of 47 patients was enrolled in a comprehensive study of very-early-onset schizophrenia. All were tested with fluorescence in situ hybridization for deletions on chromosome 22q11. RESULTS Three (6.4%) of 47 patients were found to have a 22q11 deletion. All 3 COS patients with 22q11 deletions had premorbid impairments of language, motor, and social development, although their physical characteristics varied. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased midbody corpus callosum area and ventricular volume in relation both to healthy controls and to other COS patients. CONCLUSIONS The rate of 22q11 deletions in COS is higher than in the general population (0.025%, p < .001) and may be higher than reported for adult-onset schizophrenia (2.0%, p = .09). These results suggest that 22q11 deletions may be associated with an earlier age of onset of schizophrenia, possibly mediated by a more salient neurodevelopmental disruption.
Honors pedagogy: tailoring learning preferences of honors and regular students for autonomy and structure

Students differ in their learning preferences. When students are more intrinsically motivated this improves their well-being and involvement (Levesque, Zuehlke, Stanek, & Ryan, 2004). Teaching highly motivated honors students places different demands on teachers (Wolfensberger, 2012). High motivated students prefer teachers who offer them autonomy and who supports their need for autonomy by offering structure by an autonomy supportive teaching strategy (Reeve, 2009; Vansteenkiste et al., 2012) . Honors teachers indicate that they struggle with finding the right balance between providing autonomy and structure, which is different for every student. In our research we focus on how higher education teachers tailor their teaching strategies towards the perceived learning preferences regarding autonomy and structure of both honors and regular students. We conducted semi-structured interviews with help of a topic list with 16 teachers of 4 institutions and used a grounded theory approach to analysize the data. Because the subjects in this study teach both in honors and regular educational programmes, we gained insights in the underlying beliefs about and strategies used in these two different contexts. In this talk we share our findings and explore how the results can be used in daily practice.
The Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Gene Product Neurofibromin Enhances Cell Motility by Regulating Actin Filament Dynamics via the Rho-ROCK-LIMK2-Cofilin Pathway*

Neurofibromin is a neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) tumor suppressor gene product with a domain that acts as a GTPase-activating protein and functions, in part, as a negative regulator of Ras. Loss of neurofibromin expression in NF1 patients is associated with elevated Ras activity and increased cell proliferation, predisposing to a variety of tumors of the peripheral and central nervous systems. We show here, using the small interfering RNA (siRNA) technique, that neurofibromin dynamically regulates actin cytoskeletal reorganization, followed by enhanced cell motility and gross cell aggregation in Matrigel matrix. NF1 siRNA induces characteristic morphological changes, such as excessive actin stress fiber formation, with elevated negative phosphorylation levels of cofilin, which regulates actin cytoskeletal reorganization by depolymerizing and severing actin filaments. We found that the elevated phosphorylation of cofilin in neurofibromin-depleted cells is promoted by activation of a Rho-ROCK-LIMK2 pathway, which requires Ras activation but is not transduced through three major Ras-mediated downstream pathways via Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and RalGEF. In addition, the exogenous expression of the NF1-GTPase-activating protein-related domain suppressed the NF1 siRNA-induced phenotypes. Neurofibromin was demonstrated to play a significant role in the machinery regulating cell proliferation and in actin cytoskeletal reorganization, which affects cell motility and adhesion. These findings may explain, in part, the mechanism of multiple neurofibroma formation in NF1 patients.
Protein lysine acetylation in bacteria: Current state of the art

Post‐translational modifications of proteins are key events in cellular metabolism and physiology regulation. Lysine acetylation is one of the best studied protein modifications in eukaryotes, but, until recently, ignored in bacteria. However, proteomic advances have highlighted the diversity of bacterial lysine‐acetylated proteins. The current data support the implication of lysine acetylation in various metabolic pathways, adaptation and virulence. In this review, we present a broad overview of the current knowledge of lysine acetylation in bacteria. We emphasize particularly the significant contribution of proteomics in this field.
Compact visible Q-switching fiber lasers with transition-metal dichalcogenides

Compact visible pulsed fiber lasers possess various applications. However, fiber-compatible visible-wavelength saturable absorber (SA) is very scare. Recently, transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted widespread attention due to their visible saturable absorption properties. Here, we report our recent advances in compact visible trivalent praseodymium (Pr3+)-doped ZBLAN fiber lasers and TMDs (WS2, MoS2 and MoSe2)-based red passive Q-switching fiber lasers. Our work suggests that TMDs are promising SAs for Q-switching operation in visible spectral region.
Vision, hearing, balance, and sensory impairment in Americans aged 70 years and over: United States, 1999-2006.

KEY FINDINGS Sensory impairments are a substantial problem for older Americans: One out of six has impaired vision; one out of four has impaired hearing; one out of four has loss of feeling in the feet; and three out of four have abnormal postural balance testing. Sensory impairments increase with age: Vision and hearing impairments each double, and loss of feeling in the feet increases by 40% in persons aged 80 years and over compared with persons aged 70-79 years. One in five Americans below the poverty threshold has impaired vision: 50% higher than other Americans. Balance problems are also common among the poor. Over one-half of those with impaired vision could improve their eyesight by using glasses or by getting a corrected prescription. For those with hearing problems, 72% might benefit from a hearing aid but do not use one.
Decreased Whole Body Endogenous Nitric Oxide Production in Patients with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Impaired pulmonary release of nitric oxide (NO) is one of the characteristic phenotypic changes of vascular cells in pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent whole body NO production in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. NOS-dependent whole body NO production was assessed by giving an intravenous infusion of L-[15N]2-arginine (50 µmol/min for 30 min) and measuring isotopic urinary enrichment of 15N-nitrite and 15N-nitrate. Four female patients with no signs of infection were recruited and compared with 6 age-matched control subjects. Mean 12-hour excretion of 15N-nitrite and 15N-nitrate in the total urine over 36 h was smaller in patients than in control subjects (57.2 ± 27.6 vs. 229.1 ± 65.2 nmol/mmol creatinine, p< 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test, respectively). Neither mean 12-hour excretion of 14N-nitrite and 14N-nitrate (51.6 ± 10.0 vs. 72.4 ± 10.0 µmol/mmol creatinine, p = 0.3) nor glomerular filtration rates (84.5 ± 15.8 vs. 129.7 ± 16.0 ml/min, p = 0.1) were different between patients and control subjects. Our results suggest that either basal NOS-dependent whole body NO production is impaired or excess NO metabolism occurs in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.
Market of fruits and baccas as model of socially oriented market economy in Ukraine

The purpose. To open the essence and main routes of socialization of the market of fruits and baccas. Procedure. As the basis for probe they used methodical approaches to determination of capacity of inner consumer market of agricultural products and food. Results. The content of a class «social market of fruits and baccas» from an item of the standard of welfare is opened: solvency of the population and consumption level of products according to rational standards. rincipal causes of instability of economy in Ukraine and inefficiencies of development of the domestic market of fruits and baccas are analyzed. Ways of development of social market, directed at optimal provision of population with fruits and baccas in the long term are offered. Conclusions. Socially oriented policy and economy of the state should be directed, first of all, on martempering welfare of the population irrespective of its territorial housing. Having selected the domestic market of fruits and baccas as separate model of social market economy and being repelled from the indicator of food provision «sufficiency of consumption of a separate product» it is fixed that the market is only on a path to socialization. Aggregate of the listed directions of the further development of the social market of fruits and baccas and branches of gardening in particular should become an integral part of the Comprehensive programme of development of agrarian market in Ukraine.
Social capital and social transformation in Russia

Sozialkapital ist eine wertvolle Ressource, die sowohl erzeugt als auch verbraucht werden kann, dessen Position in der Gesellschaft richtungsabhangig und verankert im Kollektivgedachtnis der Erfahrungen mit Machtstrukturen ist. Sozialkapital kann auf der Netzwerk und auf der Gesellschaftsebene gefunden werden, wobei eine Relation besteht. Fragmentierten Gesellschaften mit starken, exklusiven Netzwerkverbindungen innerhalb der Segmente und einer ausgepragten dualen (inneren und ausseren) Moral fehlt es oft an starkem innewohnendem Sozialkapital. Informelle Normen uberlagern formelle und setzen die Funktion von neu implementierten Institutionen ausser Kraft. Sie andern sich sehr langsam. Russland hat sich scheinbar in eine Marktwirtschaft umgewandelt, aber nicht in eine Markt- und Zivilgesellschaft, weil das Sozialkapital auf der Gesellschaftsebene eher schwach ist, wohingegen es auf der Netzwerkebene eher stark ist. Die Struktur des sozialen Raumes in personlichen Beziehungen befindet sich im Gegensatz zu der Struktur von sozialem Raum in einer solidarischen Zivilgemeinschaft.
Plate Tectonics at 3.8–3.7 Ga: Field Evidence from the Isua Accretionary Complex, Southern West Greenland

A 1:5000 scale mapping was performed in the Isukasia area of the ca. 3.8‐Ga Isua supracrustal belt, southern West Greenland. The mapped area is divided into three units bounded by low‐angle thrusts: the Northern, Middle, and Southern Units. The Southern Unit, the best exposed, is composed of 14 subunits (horses) with similar lithostratigraphy, bound by layer‐parallel thrusts. Duplex structures are widespread in the Isua belt and vary in scale from a few meters to kilometers. Duplexing proceeded from south to north and is well documented in the relationship between link‐ and roof‐thrusts. The reconstructed lithostratigraphy of each horse reveals a simple pattern, in ascending order, of greenstone with low‐K tholeiitic composition with or without pillow lava structures, chert/banded iron‐formation, and turbidites. The cherts and underlying low‐K tholeiites do not contain continent‐ or arc‐derived material. The lithostratigraphy is quite similar to Phanerozoic “oceanic plate stratigraphy,” except for the abundance of mafic material in the turbidites. The evidence of duplex structures and oceanic plate stratigraphy indicates that the Isua supracrustal belt is the oldest accretionary complex in the world. The dominantly mafic turbidite composition suggests that the accretionary complex was formed in an intraoceanic environment comparable to the present‐day western Pacific Ocean. The duplex polarity suggests that an older accretionary complex should occur to the south of the Isua complex. Moreover, the presence of seawater (documented by a thick, pillow, lava unit at the bottom of oceanic plate stratigraphy) indicates that the surface temperature was less than ca. 100°C in the Early Archean. The oceanic geotherm for the Early Archean lithosphere as a function of age was calculated based on a model of transient half‐space cooling at given parameters of surface and mantle temperatures of 100° and 1450°C, respectively, suggesting that the Archean oceanic lithosphere was rigid. These conclusions—rigidity and lateral plate movement—support the idea that the modern style of plate tectonics was in operation only 0.7–0.8 G.yr. after the formation of the Earth.
Urban Agriculture: A Guide for Municipalities

In response to the increasing interest in urban agriculture, the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics and the Allegheny County Conservation District worked together to form the Urban Agriculture Special Committee, which developed the following guide. The purpose of this guide is to explain the benefits of urban agriculture activities and how to add permissive language to an existing zoning ordinance. To that end, the guide contains the following. (1) A brief history and explanation of urban agriculture and what activities it includes. (2) Definitions for understanding urban agriculture language. (3) An overview of the benefits urban agriculture activities can bring to a community and the individuals who live there. (4) Regulations for urban agriculture activities and guidance for incorporating the language into an existing zoning ordinance. (5) Additional resources for individuals who wish to practice urban agriculture in a safe and considerate way.
Medical Students' Use of Different Coping Strategies and Relationship With Academic Performance in Preclinical and Clinical Years

ABSTRACT Phenomenon: Medical students' coping abilities are important for academic success and emotional health. The authors explored differences in students' use of active, problem-solving strategies and emotional, inwardly directed approaches; the change in coping strategies used during medical school; and coping strategy impact on performance. Approach: One hundred eighty-three students completed the Ways of Coping Scale at matriculation and end of the 2nd and 3rd years. Frequency of each of 8 ways of coping, changes in coping strategy use over time, and relationship of coping method with preclinical and clinical scores were calculated. Findings: Students varied widely in use of coping mechanisms. Over time, students shifted to using emotional strategies more frequently while decreasing their use of active strategies. Coping strategies were unrelated to preclinical academic performance (R2 = .09, adjusted R2 = .04, ns) but were related to clinical performance (R2 = .23, adjusted R2 = .18, p < .0001), with active coping associated with higher performance and emotional methods associated with lower performance. Insights: Students decreased use of active coping strategies and increased use of emotional coping strategies over time, but emotional strategies were associated with poorer clinical academic performance. These shifts in coping methods may be detrimental to student performance and learning. Improving students' ability to cope should be an educational priority.
Structural decomposition and description of printed and handwritten characters

A structural method for describing both printed and handwritten characters is presented in this paper. In this approach, each character is decomposed into primitives based on feature points detection, where a new directional point is introduced and an improved scheme for the bend point detection is proposed. Each primitive is then characterized by a so-called primitive code. A global code is derived from the primitive codes, which is used to describe the topological structure of the character. Each character is thus completely described by the primitive codes and the global code. This method has been successfully applied in handwritten numeral and printed character recognition.
Attitudes toward obese individuals among exercise science students.

PURPOSE The purpose of this research was to evaluate attitudes toward obese individuals and to identify personal characteristics associated with antifat bias among students majoring in exercise science. METHODS Undergraduate (N = 136) and graduate (N = 110) students (mean age 23.2 yr, 55% male, 77% Caucasian) completed a series of questionnaires to assess attitudes toward obese individuals. Instruments included the Implicit Association Test (IAT), a timed self-report assessment that measures automatic attitudes and stereotypes toward obese persons through word categorizations (good vs bad; motivated vs lazy), and the Antifat Attitudes Test (AFAT), a self-report instrument that measures negative beliefs and attitudes toward obese individuals. Participants also completed a general demographic questionnaire. RESULTS A strong bias was found for implicit measures including good versus bad attitude (P < 0.0001) and motivated versus lazy stereotype (P < 0.0001). Characteristics associated with greater bad bias included being female, Caucasian, and growing up in a less populated area (P < 0.05). Belief in greater personal responsibility for obesity was associated with stronger lazy bias (P < 0.01). On the AFAT self-report measure, belief in less personal responsibility for obesity, positive family history of obesity, and having an obese friend were associated with lower antifat scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that students in the field of exercise science possess negative associations and bias toward obese individuals. These findings have important implications for health promotion, as antifat bias and weight discrimination among exercise professionals may further contribute to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and reduced quality of life for many obese individuals who are at high risk for chronic disease.
A study of underfill using two kinds of silica as inorganic filler

In this paper, two kinds of silica prepared via dry chemical route (SiO2-d) and wet chemical (SiO2-w) method are used as potential CTE reducing fillers. The influence of adding silica on composite underfills' properties such as CTE, modulus, and glass transition temperature (Tg) are investigated. The addition of silica fillers could reduces CTE and improves the modulus of the epoxy. Compared with SiO2-w, SiO2-d shows a greater effect on lowering the CTE values and improving the modulus. The sample with 50wt% SiO2-d loading has a low CTE1 of 46.0ppm/°C and a high Tg of 165.4°C, which will be suitable used as the underfill for the application of improving the reliability of IC packages by distributing the thermal stress.