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This study provides the results from the implementation of a highly structured therapist-guided iCBT program for people with work-related anxiety and depression, in terms of program efficacy, participants’ adherence and satisfaction. Seventy-seven national police-workers were randomly allocated to one of two groups: without additional videoconference sessions (web platform with guidance of therapist), and with additional videoconference sessions (same intervention as the previous group, plus two videoconference guidance sessions with a psychologist). The intervention was comprised of 12 sessions and took place for 17-20 weeks. We found an adherence rate of 36.4%, with no differences between groups. All participants endorsed lower depression [BDI-II F(1) = 36.98, ρ < .001; ATQ F(1) = 24.22, ρ < .001], and anxiety [STAI-State F(1) = 76.62, ρ < .001] after the program. As a variable related to anxiety and depression in workplace, participants also showed higher assertiveness levels [RAS F(1) = 8.96, ρ < .001]. A significant reduction of the mean level of anxiety perceived by participants as the intervention program progressed was observed in both groups (F(2)=7.44; p=.003). Participants were satisfied with the therapists’ intervention and with the program. No significant group effects were found for any of the measures. Reduction in depression levels was maintained in the 12 months follow-up, but levels of anxiety increased. This study is innovative, as it is the first controlled trial to analyze the effect of two added videoconference sessions, and it includes short and long term measures, which is not usual. The results are discussed to clarify the role of the contact with the therapist to improve treatment adherence. post-print 309 KB

This paper utilizes the reconstructive nature of translation to examine how formal (neutral and honorific) and plain forms of Japanese are represented in Cantonese dubbing with the aim of exploring some common politeness features of Cantonese that the translator adopts in order to compensate for the difference between the two languages. Address terms that do not exist in the Japanese original, for example deferential terms and kinship terms, are inserted in Cantonese dubbing to represent different speech levels of Japanese. This paper further argues that such inserted address terms help to realize politeness by either recognizing the superior status of addressees or by including an addressee as an in-group member. Some cases of insertions also suggest strategic adoption of address terms in Cantonese. In addition to observing social norms and addressing each other appropriately, Cantonese speakers can also exploit address terms strategically to achieve specific pragmatic goals.

GO-Y078, a new synthetic analogue of curcumin (CUR), has higher oral bioavailability and anticancer activity than CUR, but the oncostatic effect of GO-Y078 on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is largely unknown. In the present study, we examined the oncostatic properties and possible mechanisms of GO-Y078 on human SCC-9 and HSC-3 OSCC cells. Our results indicated that GO-Y078 showed a cytostatic effect against OSCC cells, and this antiproliferative phenomenon stemmed from a mechanism involving multiple levels of cooperation, including cell-cycle G2/M arrest and apoptosis induction. Mechanistically, GO-Y078 treatment induced caspase-mediated apoptosis via upregulating two apoptosis-modulating proteins, SMAC/DIABLO and heme oxygenase (HO)-1. GO-Y078 transcriptionally induced upregulation of the HO-1 gene by increasing the AP-1 DNA-binding activity, which was initiated by activation of the p38 /JNK1/2 pathways. In the clinic, patients with head and neck cancers expressed lower HO-1 and SMAC/DIABLO levels in primary cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. Clinical datasets also revealed that patients with head and neck cancers expressing high HO-1 had afavorable prognosis. Our results provide new insights into the role of GO-Y078-induced molecular regulation in suppressing OSCC growth and suggest that GO-Y078 has potential therapeutic applications for OSCC.

To meet different loading requirements in the metal industry, special attention about the operational performances and start-up characteristics of those implemented electric motors for desired driven applications must be addressed. However, because of the global warming and energy conservation concerns, the enforced operational regulations have increased the complexity of those commonly applied induction motors for supplying the desired equipment driven forces. By adopting the same stator, the synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) can be achieved with properly redesigned rotor structure of an induction motor. Due to its robust structure and no secondary copper loss, it is very competitive for the related hoist, punch, roller, and pump applications. Furthermore, by inserting adequate ferrite permanent magnets and conductors into the rotor barriers, composition designs of the direct-on-line SynRMs (DOL_SynRMs) will also be proposed. The operational characteristics of the DOL_SynRMs for fulfilling different specifications will all be thoroughly investigated and confirmed by experimental measurements. The DOL_SynRM structures that can provide potential alternatives for related high-efficiency metal industry driven applications can thus be validated.

To meet the higher operational efficiency regulations of electric motors due to energy-conservation concerns, specific design efforts have been dedicated to those motors for different industrial application requirements. Since the synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) is generally designed based on the same stator structure as that of the induction motor and operated at synchronous speed, whereas no electrical contact to its rotor, it is capable of providing a robust structure and no rotor copper loss. Such features are very attractive for the related hoist, punch, roller, and pump applications that are commonly adopted in the metals industry. By equipping adequate power factor correction and line-start capabilities, the detailed designs and performance analyses of the SynRMs with a common rotor structure composed by laminated electrical steels will be proposed. Based on this common rotor structure, the operational characteristics of the SynRMs for fulfilling different specifications will all be thoroughly investigated. Confirmed by experimental validations, valuable guidance for related SynRM constructions and applications can thus be provided for metals industry and motor designers.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a typical inflammation-associated cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histopathological subtype. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common driver mutations of LUAD, and they have been identified as important therapeutic targets by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Interleukin (IL)-17A secreted by T-helper 17 lymphocytes is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate the possible associations among IL-17A genetic polymorphisms, EGFR mutation status, and the clinicopathologic development of LUAD in a Taiwanese population. Our study population consisted of 277 LUAD patients harboring the wild-type (WT) EGFR or a mutant (MT) EGFR. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-17A in the peripheral blood, including rs8193036(C > T), rs8193037(G > A), rs2275913(G > A), and rs3748067(C > T) loci, were genotyped using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Our results showed that none of these IL-17A SNPs were correlated with the risk of developing mutant EGFR. However, patients with a smoking habit who carried the GA genotype of IL-17A rs8193037 had a significantly lower susceptibility to EGFR mutations (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.225; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.056~0.900, p = 0.035). Moreover, compared to individuals carrying the CC genotype of rs8193036 at IL-17A, T-allele carriers (CT + TT) were at higher risk of developing more-advanced stages (stage III or IV; p = 0.020). In the WT EGFR subgroup analysis, IL-17A rs8193036 T-allele carriers had higher risks of developing an advanced tumor stage (p = 0.016) and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.049). Further analyses of clinical datasets revealed correlations of IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) and IL-17RC expressions with a poor prognosis of LUAD patients with a smoking history or with higher levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In conclusion, our results suggested that two functional promoter polymorphisms of IL-17A, i.e., rs8193036 and rs8193037, were associated with the EGFR mutation status and progression in LUAD patients, indicating that these two genetic variants might act as possible markers for predicting patients’ clinical prognoses.

By appropriately inserting ferrite magnets into the rotor of a synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM), the machine operational power factors and torque outputs can be improved. With specific rotor structures to accommodate those ferrites, many of these permanent-magnet-assisted SynRMs (PMA-SynRMs) have been proposed to comply the expected operational objectives. For construction convenience, the ferrites that being inserted into the flux barriers of these PMA-SynRMs are generally in rectangular shapes; hence, some adjustments on the rotor flux barriers and additional bridges are required. Such changes will inevitably affect the performance of the original SynRMs with optimized rotor structures, and these tradeoffs are thus to be recovered by parts of those adopted ferrites. This paper will provide an evaluation index that can characterize the performance of PMA-SynRMs with different volume compositions of the ferrites, along with the impact assessments of the SynRMs with modified flux barriers such that those ferrites can be properly allocated. Based on the designs obtained from thorough 3-D finite-element analyses, a 3-hp PMA-SynRM will be constructed and the related experimental measurements will also be supported to validate the design adequacies.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a typical inflammation-associated cancer, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histopathological subtype. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common driver mutations of LUAD, and they have been identified as important therapeutic targets by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Interleukin (IL)-17A secreted by T-helper 17 lymphocytes is a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in cancer pathogenesis. The present study was designed to investigate the possible associations among IL-17A genetic polymorphisms, EGFR mutation status, and the clinicopathologic development of LUAD in a Taiwanese population. Our study population consisted of 277 LUAD patients harboring the wild-type (WT) EGFR or a mutant (MT) EGFR. Four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-17A in the peripheral blood, including rs8193036(C &gt, T), rs8193037(G &gt, A), rs2275913(G &gt, A), and rs3748067(C &gt, T) loci, were genotyped using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Our results showed that none of these IL-17A SNPs were correlated with the risk of developing mutant EGFR. However, patients with a smoking habit who carried the GA genotype of IL-17A rs8193037 had a significantly lower susceptibility to EGFR mutations (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.225, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.056~0.900, p = 0.035). Moreover, compared to individuals carrying the CC genotype of rs8193036 at IL-17A, T-allele carriers (CT + TT) were at higher risk of developing more-advanced stages (stage III or IV, p = 0.020). In the WT EGFR subgroup analysis, IL-17A rs8193036 T-allele carriers had higher risks of developing an advanced tumor stage (p = 0.016) and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.049). Further analyses of clinical datasets revealed correlations of IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) and IL-17RC expressions with a poor prognosis of LUAD patients with a smoking history or with higher levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In conclusion, our results suggested that two functional promoter polymorphisms of IL-17A, i.e., rs8193036 and rs8193037, were associated with the EGFR mutation status and progression in LUAD patients, indicating that these two genetic variants might act as possible markers for predicting patients’ clinical prognoses.

By appropriately adjusting the induced back electromagnetic forces on the stator windings, similar to those of a magnetic-geared motor, extra torque components can be generated from a surface-mounted permanent-magnet Vernier motor (VM) [1]. Since the joint parts of an exoskeleton system are generally equipped with appropriate motor-gear sets to provide the desired driven torques, the costs of these incorporated mechanical components can greatly be reduced with smaller gears ratios. With its relatively larger torque output, as long as the output speeds of the motorgear set can still meet operational specifications, the VM will thus offer a competitive alternative for such applications. Following the same physical and operational constraints, an optimized VM (Opt. VM) capable of generating twice the torque output of an existing commercial VM (Ref. VM) that is commonly adopted on the exoskeleton system will thus be expected. By setting adequate design objectives and adopting the Taguchi’s methodology, from the results calculated by thorough finite element analyses (FEA), the designed Opt. VM will be constructed and the related experimental measurements will be supplied to validate the design adequacies.

To meet the increasingly stringent regulations on operational efficiencies of electric motors, efforts have been devoted to design and construct motors with less power losses. Without the need of rotor conductors, and hence, no secondary copper loss, the feasibilities of applying synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) have attracted many attentions on the related industries. Since the operation of SynRM is mainly based on the reluctance torque, appropriate electromagnetic steel selections for the motors will be the key factors. To adequately evaluate the performance of SynRM, with the available magnetization and hysteresis characteristics of the commercial steel sheets, the SynRMs that are composed of different electromagnetic steels at various operational specifications will be thoroughly investigated. From theoretical analyses of the selected SynRMs by different stator and rotor material compositions along with experimental validations, valuable guidance for related SynRM constructions and operations can thus be provided for steel manufacturers and motor designers.

A recent report has shown that the relationship, at the latent variable level, between fluid ability and working memory capacity is affected by the time allowed for completing problems requiring the former (Chuderski, 2013): the greater the time, the lower the relationship. The underlying argument is that untimed administration of fluid ability problems compensates working memory capacity limitations. The present report analyzes a group of three hundred and two participants that completed a set of three fluid tests and six working memory tasks. Latent variable analyses revealed consistent correlations (weighted average r = .86) between fluid ability and working memory capacity irrespective of administration times. Furthermore, the lowest difference in fluid ability between individuals with high and low working memory capacity was observed for the highly speeded condition. Their difference was greater when increased time was allowed for completing the fluid problems. Therefore, the relationship between fluid ability and working memory capacity appeals to underlying general common mechanisms unrelated with time constraints. Here we suggest that the reliability by which the relevant information can be preserved in the short-term for successful on-line processing seems a likely candidate.

Here we analyze how performance differences in an adaptive cognitive training regime based on the n-back task interact with emotional stimuli (scenes and faces) varying in their valence (negative, positive, and neutral). One hundred and three participants completed four training sessions across 2 weeks showing remarkable improvements from time to time. Results revealed similar results for faces and scenes regarding accuracy levels across increased complexity levels. However, reaction times (RTs) were sensitive to emotional conditions to some extent. Observed faster RTs to negative faces (disgust) were consistent with the negativity bias phenomenon, but this effect vanished for the highest levels of processing complexity. It is suggested that emotional information contents fail to interact with cognition when there are no cognitive resources left after the primary task is addressed.

Short-term adaptive cognitive training based on the n-back task is reported to increase scores on individual ability tests, but the key question of whether such increases generalize to the intelligence construct is not clear. Here we evaluate fluid/abstract intelligence (Gf), crystallized/verbal intelligence (Gc), working memory capacity (WMC), and attention control (ATT) using diverse measures, with equivalent versions, for estimating any changes at the construct level after training. Beginning with a sample of 169 participants, two groups of twenty-eight women each were selected and matched for their general cognitive ability scores and demographic variables. Under strict supervision in the laboratory, the training group completed an intensive adaptive training program based on the n-back task (visual, auditory, and dual versions) across twenty-four sessions distributed over twelve weeks. Results showed that this group had the expected systematic improvements in n-back performance over time; this performance systematically correlated across sessions with Gf, Gc, and WMC, but not with ATT. However, the main finding showed no significant changes in the assessed psychological constructs for the training group as compared with the control group. Nevertheless, post-hoc analyses suggested that specific tests and tasks tapping visuospatial processing might be sensitive to training.

Here we apply a method for automated segmentation of the hippocampus in 3D high-resolution structural brain MRI scans. One hundred and four healthy young adults completed twenty one tasks measuring abstract, verbal, and spatial intelligence, along with working memory, executive control, attention, and processing speed. After permutation tests corrected for multiple comparisons across vertices (p < .05) significant relationships were found for spatial intelligence, spatial working memory, and spatial executive control. Interactions with sex revealed significant relationships with the general factor of intelligence (g), along with abstract and spatial intelligence. These correlations were mainly positive for males but negative for females, which might support the efficiency hypothesis in women. Verbal intelligence, attention, and processing speed were not related to hippocampal structural differences.

Multistage adaptive testing has recently emerged as an alternative to the computerized adaptive test. The current study details a new multistage test to assess fluid intelligence.An item pool of progressive matrices with constructed response format was developed, and divided into six subtests. The subtests were applied to a sample of 724 college students and their psychometric properties were studied (i.e., reliability, dimensionality and validity evidence). The item pool was calibrated under the graded response model, and two multistage structures were developed, based on the automatic test assembly principles. Finally, the test information provided by each structure was compared in order to select the most appropriate one.The item pool showed adequate psychometric properties. From the two compared multistage structures, the simplest structure (i.e., routing test and two modules in the next stages) were more informative across the latent trait continuum and were therefore kept.Taken together, the results of the two studies support the application of the FIMT (Fluid Intelligence Multistage Test), a multistage test to assess fluid intelligence accurately and innovatively.

Much is written regarding the associations between human intelligence and cognition. However, it is unusual to find comprehensive studies. Here twenty four measures tapping eight cognitive abilities and skills are considered for assessing a sample of one hundred and eighty five young adults. The simultaneous relationships among fluid, crystallized, and spatial intelligence, along with short-term memory, working memory capacity, executive updating, attention, and processing speed are analyzed using a latent-variable approach. The key findings show that (a) short-term storage, working memory, and updating are hardly distinguishable, and (b) fluid intelligence is near-perfectly correlated with these three cognitive functions. It is concluded that this nuclear intelligence component can be largely identified with basic and general short-term storage processes, namely, encoding, maintenance, and retrieval.

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido elaborar dos test informatizados que midan los componentes de la atención que permiten caracterizar a los niños diagnosticados TDAH. Para su elaboración se han tenido en cuenta los estudios sobre desarrollo de la atención así como las críticas recibidas por los instrumentos de evaluación disponibles, en un claro intento por superarlas. Ambos test se administraron a 423 escolares (de 2º a 6º) de 7 a 11 años de edad. Los datos obtenidos muestran el patrón de desarrollo de cada uno de los índices que aportan las pruebas: eficacia general de la atención, inexactitud, olvidos, organización de la ejecución y distracción-precipitación. Los índices de fiabilidad de estos índices se hallan en el rango 0.77 a 0.96 que se considera satisfactorio. En la discusión se reseña la utilidad que pueden tener ambos test para la valoración del perfil atencional en el niño, sea con un objetivo académico o clínico.

Multitasking performance is relevant in everyday life and job analyses highlight the influence of multitasking over several diverse occupations. Intelligence is the best single predictor of overall job performance and it is also related to individual differences in multitasking. However, it has been shown that working memory capacity (WMC) is related to both intelligence and multitasking performance. Here we consider the simultaneous relationship among intelligence, WMC, and multitasking. The sample comprised three hundred and two applicants for air traffic control training courses. The main finding shows that intelligence and WMC are both related to multitasking, but only WMC predicts multitasking when their simultaneous relationship is considered. Furthermore, the processing and storage components of WMC predict multitasking performance. From an applied perspective it is suggested that WMC might be a relevant measure for personnel selection settings involving multitasking requirements.

The acknowledged high relationship between working memory and intelligence suggests common underlying cognitive mechanisms and, perhaps, shared biological substrates. If this is the case, improvement in working memory by repeated exposure to challenging span tasks might be reflected in increased intelligence scores. Here we report a study in which 288 university undergraduates completed the odd numbered items of four intelligence tests on time 1 and the even numbered items of the same tests one month later (time 2). In between, 173 participants completed three sessions, separated by exactly one week, comprising verbal, numerical, and spatial short-term memory (STM) and working memory (WMC) tasks imposing high processing demands (STM–WMC group). 115 participants also completed three sessions, separated by exactly one week, but comprising verbal, numerical, and spatial simple speed tasks (processing speed, PS, and attention, ATT) with very low processing demands (PS-ATT group). The main finding reveals increased scores from the pre-test to the post-test intelligence session (more than half a standard deviation on average). However, there was no differential improvement on intelligence between the STM-WMC and PS-ATT groups.

The parieto-frontal integration theory (P-FIT) nominates several areas distributed throughout the brain as relevant for intelligence. This theory was derived from previously published studies using a variety of both imaging methods and tests of cognitive ability. Here we test this theory in a new sample of young healthy adults (N = 100) using a psychometric battery tapping fluid, crystallized, and spatial intelligence factors. High resolution structural MRI scans (3T) were obtained and analyzed with Voxel-based Morphometry (VBM). The main findings are consistent with the P-FIT, supporting the view that general intelligence (g) involves multiple cortical areas throughout the brain. Key regions include the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, Broca's and Wernicke's areas, the somato-sensory association cortex, and the visual association cortex. Further, estimates of crystallized and spatial intelligence with g statistically removed, still share several brain areas with general intelligence, but also show some degree of uniqueness.

Working memory and the general factor of intelligence (g) are highly related constructs. However, we still don't know why. Some models support the central role of simple short-term storage, whereas others appeal to executive functions like the control of attention. Nevertheless, the available empirical evidence does not suffice to get an answer, presumably because relevant measures are frequently considered in isolation. To overcome this problem, here we consider concurrently simple short-term storage, mental speed, updating, and the control of attention along with working memory and intelligence measures, across three separate studies. Several diverse measures are administered to a total of 661 participants. The findings are consistent with the view that simple short-term storage largely accounts for the relationship between working memory and intelligence. Mental speed, updating, and the control of attention are not consistently related to working memory, and they are not genuinely associated with intelligence once the short-term storage component is removed.

There are several candidate measures when asking which psychological construct significantly predicts academic performance. Hundreds of studies have addressed this issue by measuring intelligence, basic cognitive processes, or personality. However, the simultaneous consideration of a broad and varied array of measures is much less common. Here we consider several cognitive and personality measures concurrently to define latent factors representing six constructs of presumed interest: fluid intelligence, short-term memory, working memory, processing speed, controlled attention, and temperament difficulties. One hundred and thirty-five secondary school students were tested. Their academic performance was measured by average grades in the nine scholastic areas of their curriculum. The main finding shows that a latent factor defined by fluid intelligence and memory span along with a latent factor defined by impulsiveness, sensation seeking, and lack of fear account for an impressive figure of 60% of the variance in academic performance.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the influence of previous experience with information and communication technology (ICT) tools on performance in a Web-based course. Online activity was logged. Specifically, total activities carried out and five online activity measures were computed. One hundred and twenty university undergraduates participated in a Web-based course designed to train personnel trainers to apply ICT in training processes. Before starting the study, participants filled out a questionnaire designed to assess their frequency using ICT tools. At the end of the study, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to collect information about their learning experience and their assessment of the virtual environment. Results suggest that previous experience significantly influences how people organize their online activities, but not the quantity of work carried out. Participants with more experience in the use of Internet tools, organize their work in the virtual classroom using less time and visiting fewer pages in each session. Previous experience did not influence the assessment of the virtual classroom as a training tool, since participants with both high and low previous experience gave extremely positive feedback on their Web-based learning experience.

There is great interest in the relationships between memory span tasks and cognitive abilities. However, the causes underlying their correlation remain unknown. In the present article, five key data sets were reanalyzed according to two criteria: They must consider complex span tasks (so-called working memory [WM] tasks) and simple span tasks (so-called short-term memory [STM] tasks), and they must comprise cognitive ability measures. The obtained results offer several points of interest. First, memory span tasks should be conceived from a hierarchical perspective: They comprise both general and specific components. Second, the general component explains about four times the variance explained by the specific components. Third, STM and WM measures are closely related. Fourth, STM and WM measures share the same common variance with cognitive abilities. Finally, the strong relationship usually found between memory span tasks and cognitive abilities could be tentatively interpreted by the component shared by STM and WM--namely, the capacity for temporarily preserving a reliable memory representation of any given information.

There are several studies showing that working memory and intelligence are strongly related. However, working memory tasks require simultaneous processing and storage, so the causes of their relationship with intelligence are currently a matter of discussion. The present study examined the simultaneous relationships among short-term memory (STM), working memory (WM), and general intelligence (g). Two hundred and eight participants performed six verbal, quantitative, and spatial STM tasks, six verbal, quantitative, and spatial WM tasks, and eight tests measuring fluid, crystallized, spatial, and quantitative intelligence. Especial care is taken to avoid misrepresenting the relations among the constructs being studied because of specific task variance. Structural equation modelling (SEM) results revealed that (a) WM and g are (almost) isomorphic constructs, (b) the isomorphism vanishes when the storage component of WM is partialed out, and (c) STM and WM (with its storage component partialed out) predict g.

Ultrastable acidic mesoporous aluminosilicates (MCM-48-S, MCM-48-SH, MCM-41-S) with mesostructures, strong acidity, and high hydrothermal stability was synthesized from assembly of cetyltriammonium bromide (CTAB) and pre-formed zeolite Beta seed. The catalytic application of the solid acid catalysts (HMCM-41-S and HMCM-48-SH) was demonstrated with the Friedel–Crafts acylation of aromatics. High conversion (>90%) and high selectivity (100%) were obtained.