LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
New rate-2 STBC design for 2 TX with reduced-complexity maximum likelihood decoding

We propose a new full-rate space-time block code (STBC) for two transmit antennas which can be designed to achieve maximum diversity or maximum capacity while enjoying optimized coding gain and reduced-complexity maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding. The maximum transmit diversity (MTD) construction provides a diversity order of 2Nr for any number of receive antennas Nr at the cost of channel capacity loss. The maximum channel capacity (MCC) construction preserves the mutual information between the transmit and the received vectors while sacrificing diversity. The system designer can switch between the two constructions through a simple parameter change based on the operating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal constellation size and number of receive antennas. Thanks to their special algebraic structure, both constructions enjoy low-complexity ML decoding proportional to the square of the signal constellation size making them attractive alternatives to existing full-diversity full-rate STBCs in [6], [3] which have high ML decoding complexity proportional to the fourth order of the signal constellation size. Furthermore, we design a differential transmission scheme for our proposed STBC, derive the exact ML differential decoding rule, and compare its performance with competitive schemes. Finally, we investigate transceiver design and performance of our proposed STBC in spatial multiple-access scenarios and over frequency-selective channels.
Translating and validating a Training Needs Assessment tool into Greek

BACKGROUND
The translation and cultural adaptation of widely accepted, psychometrically tested tools is regarded as an essential component of effective human resource management in the primary care arena. The Training Needs Assessment (TNA) is a widely used, valid instrument, designed to measure professional development needs of health care professionals, especially in primary health care. This study aims to describe the translation, adaptation and validation of the TNA questionnaire into Greek language and discuss possibilities of its use in primary care settings.


METHODS
A modified version of the English self-administered questionnaire consisting of 30 items was used. Internationally recommended methodology, mandating forward translation, backward translation, reconciliation and pretesting steps, was followed. Tool validation included assessing item internal consistency, using the alpha coefficient of Cronbach. Reproducibility (test--retest reliability) was measured by the kappa correlation coefficient. Criterion validity was calculated for selected parts of the questionnaire by correlating respondents' research experience with relevant research item scores. An exploratory factor analysis highlighted how the items group together, using a Varimax (oblique) rotation and subsequent Cronbach's alpha assessment.


RESULTS
The psychometric properties of the Greek version of the TNA questionnaire for nursing staff employed in primary care were good. Internal consistency of the instrument was very good, Cronbach's alpha was found to be 0.985 (p < 0.001) and Kappa coefficient for reproducibility was found to be 0.928 (p < 0.0001). Significant positive correlations were found between respondents' current performance levels on each of the research items and amount of research involvement, indicating good criterion validity in the areas tested. Factor analysis revealed seven factors with eigenvalues of > 1.0, KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) measure of sampling adequacy = 0.680 and Bartlett's test of sphericity, p < 0.001.


CONCLUSION
The translated and adapted Greek version is comparable with the original English instrument in terms of validity and reliability and it is suitable to assess professional development needs of nursing staff in Greek primary care settings.
Improved Delay Fault Coverage Using Subsets of Flip-flops to Launch Transitions

We describe a novel method to partition flip-flops in scan chains into disjoint groups of flip-flops that are to be driven by independent scan enable signals to achieve higher delay fault coverage. The proposed method to partition flip-flops is motivated by our recent work which demonstrated that driving subsets of flip-flops by independent scan enable signals to launch signal transitions will lead to higher delay fault coverage by broadside tests. As in broadside test none of the scan enable signals need to switch at-speed. Experimental results for delay fault coverage improvement on larger ISCAS-89 benchmark and industrial circuits are presented
Physician-patient communication in single-bedded versus four-bedded hospital rooms.

OBJECTIVE
To examine whether physician-patient communication in multi-bedded rooms differs from communication in single rooms during ward rounds.


METHODS
Ward rounds in single-bedded patient rooms and ward rounds in four-bedded rooms were audiotaped and analyzed with an adapted version of MIARS. The researcher completed an observational checklist of each encounter. We measured: the duration of speech time, the types of verbal and nonverbal communication, the extent to which patients and physicians raise intimate subjects.


RESULTS
Encounters during ward rounds in single rooms significantly took up more time than encounters in four-bedded rooms. The patients asked more questions and made more remarks in single rooms compared to four-bedded rooms. Empathic reactions of the physician were scored significantly more often in single rooms than in four-bedded rooms. No differences were observed concerning the extent to which intimate subjects were brought up.


CONCLUSION
This study is the first that investigated this subject. Findings suggest that single rooms contribute positively to physician-patient communication.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
The research findings indicate the relevance of taking account of the context in which physician-patient communication takes place.
Vision enhanced reactive locomotion control for trotting on rough terrain

Legged robots have the potential to navigate in more challenging terrain than wheeled robots do. Unfortunately, their control is more difficult because they have to deal with the traditional mapping and path planning problems, as well as foothold computation, leg trajectories and posture control in order to achieve successful navigation. Many parameters need to be adjusted in real time to keep the robot stable and safe while it is moving. In this paper, we will present a new framework for a quadruped robot, which performs goal-oriented navigation on unknown rough terrain by using inertial measurement data and stereo vision. This framework includes perception and control, and allows the robot to navigate in a straight line forward to a visual goal in a difficult environment. The developed rough terrain locomotion system does not need any mapping or path planning: the stereo camera is used to visually guide the robot and evaluate the terrain roughness and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is used for posture control. This new framework is an important step forward to achieve fully autonomous navigation because in the case of problems in the SLAM mapping, a reactive locomotion controller is always active. This ensures stable locomotion in rough terrain, by combining direct visual feedback and inertial measurements. By implementing this controller, an autonomous navigation system has been developed, which is goal-oriented and overcomes disturbances from the ground, the robot weight, or external forces. Indoor and outdoor experiments with our quadruped robot show the effectiveness and the robustness of this framework.
Cartesian path generation of robot manipulators using continuous genetic algorithms

In this paper, the authors describe a novel technique based on continuous genetic algorithms (CGAs) to solve the path generation problem for robot manipulators. We consider the following scenario: given the desired Cartesian path of the end-effector of the manipulator in a free-of-obstacles workspace, off-line smooth geometric paths in the joint space of the manipulator are obtained. The inverse kinematics problem is formulated as an optimization problem based on the concept of the minimization of the accumulative path deviation and is then solved using CGAs where smooth curves are used for representing the required geometric paths in the joint space through out the evolution process. In general, CGA uses smooth operators and avoids sharp jumps in the parameter values. This novel approach possesses several distinct advantages: first, it can be applied to any general serial manipulator with positional degrees of freedom that might not have any derived closed-form solution for its inverse kinematics. Second, to the authors’ knowledge, it is the first singularity-free path generation algorithm that can be applied at the path update rate of the manipulator. Third, extremely high accuracy can be achieved along the generated path almost similar to analytical solutions, if available. Fourth, the proposed approach can be adopted to any general serial manipulator including both nonredundant and redundant systems. Fifth, when applied on parallel computers, the real time implementation is possible due to the implicit parallel nature of genetic algorithms. The generality and efficiency of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated through simulations that include 2R and 3R planar manipulators, PUMA manipulator, and a general 6R serial manipulator. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
No Evidence on Directional vs. Proximity Voting

The directional and proximity models o er dramatically di erent theories for how voters make decisions, and fundamentally divergent views of the supposed microfoundations on which vast literatures in theoretical rational choice and empirical political behavior have been built. We demonstrate here that the empirical tests in the large and growing literature on this subject amount to theoretical debates about which statistical assumption is right. The key statistical assumptions have not been empirically tested, and indeed turn out to be e ectively untestable with existing methods and data. Unfortunately, these assumptions are also crucial since changing them leads to di erent conclusions about voter decision processes.
Psychological roadblocks to the adoption of self-driving vehicles

Self-driving cars offer a bright future, but only if the public can overcome the psychological challenges that stand in the way of widespread adoption. We discuss three: ethical dilemmas, overreactions to accidents, and the opacity of the cars’ decision-making algorithms — and propose steps towards addressing them.
Salmonella induce autophagy in melanoma by the downregulation of AKT/mTOR pathway

Salmonella have been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth. However, the mechanism of Salmonella-induced tumor cell death is less defined. Autophagy is a cellular process that mediates the degradation of long-lived proteins and unwanted organelles in the cytosol. Tumor cells frequently display lower levels of basal autophagic activity than their normal counterparts and fail to increase autophagic activity in response to stresses. Autophagy is involved in the cell defense elimination of bacteria. The signaling pathways leading to activation of Salmonella-induced autophagy in tumor cells remain to be elucidated. We used autophagy inhibitor (3-Methyladenine) and apoptosis inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) to demonstrate that Salmonella may induce cell death via apoptosis and autophagic pathway. Meanwhile, we suggested that Salmonella induce autophagy in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The autophagic markers were increased after tumor cell infected with Salmonella. In addition, the protein express levels of phosph-protein kinase B (P-AKT), phosph-mammalian targets of rapamycin (P-mTOR), phosph-p70 ribosomal s6 kinase (P-p70s6K) in tumor cells were decreased by western analysis after Salmonella infection. In conclusion, our results point out that Salmonella induce the autophagic signaling pathway via downregulation of AKT/mTOR pathway. Herein, our findings that Salmonella in controlling tumor growth may induce autophagic signal pathway.
Radiofrequency denervation of lumbar facet joints in the treatment of chronic low back pain: a randomized, double-blind, sham lesion-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES
Radiofrequency facet joint denervation procedures have been common practice for 2 decades in treatment of chronic low back pain. We designed this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham treatment controlled trial to determine the efficacy of radiofrequency facet joint denervation, as it is routinely performed.


METHODS
Inclusion criteria were low back pain, duration more than 6 months, and >or=50% Visual Analog Scale (VAS) reduction on diagnostic block. Exclusion criteria were prior radiofrequency treatment, radicular syndrome, coagulopathies, specific allergies, cancer, and pregnancy. A total of 81 out of 462 patients were randomized to undergo radiofrequency facet joint denervation or sham treatment. The first evaluation was carried out 3 months after treatment. Primary outcome was determined with a combined outcome measure comprising VAS, physical activities, and analgesic intake, from a twice-weekly recorded diary. Secondary outcome measures were the separate diary parameters, global perceived effect (complete relief, >50% relief, no effect, pain increase), and SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire.


RESULTS
There were no dropouts before the first evaluation. The combined outcome measure showed no differences between radio- frequency facet joint denervation (n=40; success 27.5%) and sham (n=41; success 29.3%) (P=0.86). The VAS in both groups improved (P<0.001). Global perceived effect improved after radiofrequency facet joint denervation (P<0.05). The other secondary outcome parameters showed no significant differences. Relevant costs were evaluated.


DISCUSSION
The combined outcome measure and VAS showed no difference between radiofrequency and sham, though in both groups, significant VAS improvement occurred. The global perceived effect was in favor of radiofrequency. In selected patients, radiofrequency facet joint denervation appears to be more effective than sham treatment.
Incentive Features in CEO Compensation in the Banking Industry. (Part 2: The Governance of Banks)

he topic of corporate governance in general, and topmanagement compensation in particular, has received enormous attention in recent years.1 Although an increasing literature has examined various aspects of the corporate governance of manufacturing firms in the United States and abroad, the corporate governance of banks and financial institutions has received relatively less focus. Alignment of the incentives of top management with the interests of shareholders has been characterized as an important mechanism of corporate governance.2 Managerial ownership of equity and options in the firm, as well as other incentive features in managers’ compensation structures (such as performance-related bonuses and performance-contingent promotions and dismissals), serves to align managerial incentives with shareholder interests. In fact, there is a large theoretical and empirical literature on the role of incentive contracts in ameliorating agency problems.3 The empirical literature has emphasized the role of the relationship between pay and performance, measured as the pay-performance sensitivity of managerial compensation structures. Jensen and Murphy (1990) document that the pay-performance sensitivity of large manufacturing firms is only $3.25 per $1,000 increase in shareholder value. Recent studies show that this sensitivity has increased over time, and most of it comes from option and stock holdings (see Murphy [1999]).4 It is important to understand corporate governance and the degree of managerial alignment in banks for several reasons. First, banks differ from manufacturing firms in several key respects. For one, banks are regulated to a higher degree than manufacturing firms. Do the regulatory mechanisms play a corporate governance role?5 For example, supervision that ensures that banks comply with regulatory requirements may play a general monitoring role. Does this monitoring substitute for or complement other mechanisms of corporate governance? In particular, does regulatory monitoring substitute for the need for incentive features in managerial compensation?6 By understanding the interaction of regulation and corporate governance, we can gain insight into the optimal design of regulation and corporate governance of banks. An understanding of the incentive structure that motivates the key decision makers in banks can also be important in designing effective regulation. For example, if top management is very closely aligned with equity interests in banks, which are highly leveraged institutions, it will have strong incentives to undertake high-risk investments (risky loans, risky real estate investments), even when they are not positive net-presentvalue investments.7 Regulatory oversight has to take such incentive distortions into account when regulatory procedures are established. John, Saunders, and Senbet (2000) argue that regulation that takes into account the incentives of top management will be more effective than capital regulation in ameliorating risk-shifting incentives. They argue that payKose John and Yiming Qian
Secure wireless monitoring and control systems for smart grid and smart home

Secure and efficient communication between human being and managed devices is critical for Smart Grid and Smart Home. This article considers the architecture and design of a secure access gateway (SAG) for home area networks. The SAG serves as the interface between the remote users and the managed devices, such that real-time secure monitoring and control of the devices can be achieved through a Smart Phone. We try to address the security and capacity challenges using multilayer techniques. Security enhancement is ensured through network layer protocol development, as well as inherently secure physical layer transceiver design. Capacity improvement is achieved using dynamic resource management. Remote monitoring and control of home/office devices through a Smart Phone is coming closer to us more than ever before.
Overexpression of a Malus vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter gene (MdNHX1) in apple rootstock M.26 and its influence on salt tolerance

Soil salinity is a major factor limiting apple production in some areas. Tonoplast Na+/H+ antiporters play a critical role in salt tolerance. Here, we isolated MdNHX1, a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter from Luo-2, a salt-tolerant rootstock of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.), and introduced it into apple rootstock M.26 by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR and DNA gel blot analyses confirmed successful integration of MdNHX1. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the gene was highly expressed in transgenic plants, but the degree of this expression varied among lines. Its overexpression conferred high tolerance to salt stress. Analysis of ion contents showed that, when exposed to salinity stress, the transgenics compartmentalized more Na+ in the roots and also maintained a relatively high K+/Na+ ratio in the leaves compared with non-transformed plants. Under normal conditions, however, amounts of potassium and sodium did not differ significantly between transgenic and control plants.
Absorption of Manganese and Iron in a Mouse Model of Hemochromatosis

Hereditary hemochromatosis, an iron overload disease associated with excessive intestinal iron absorption, is commonly caused by loss of HFE gene function. Both iron and manganese absorption are regulated by iron status, but the relationships between the transport pathways of these metals and how they are affected by HFE-associated hemochromatosis remain poorly understood. Loss of HFE function is known to alter the intestinal expression of DMT1 (divalent metal transporter-1) and Fpn (ferroportin), transporters that have been implicated in absorption of both iron and manganese. Although the influence of HFE deficiency on dietary iron absorption has been characterized, potential effects on manganese metabolism have yet to be explored. To investigate the role of HFE in manganese absorption, we characterized the uptake and distribution of the metal in Hfe (-/-) knockout mice after intravenous, intragastric, and intranasal administration of (54)Mn. These values were compared to intravenous and intragastric administration of (59)Fe. Intestinal absorption of (59)Fe was increased and clearance of injected (59)Fe was also increased in Hfe(-/-) mice compared to controls. Hfe (-/-) mice displayed greater intestinal absorption of (54)Mn compared to wild-type Hfe(+/+) control mice. After intravenous injection, the distribution of (59)Fe to heart and liver was greater in Hfe (-/-) mice but no remarkable differences were observed for (54)Mn. Although olfactory absorption of (54)Mn into blood was unchanged in Hfe (-/-) mice, higher levels of intranasally-instilled (54)Mn were associated with Hfe(-/-) brain compared to controls. These results show that manganese transport and metabolism can be modified by HFE deficiency.
A method for measuring helpfulness in online peer review

This paper describes an original method for evaluating peer review in online systems by calculating the helpfulness of an individual reviewer's response. We focus on the development of specific and machine scoreable indicators for quality in online peer review.
Are augmented reality picture books magic or real for preschool children aged five to six?

The aim of this study is to determine preschool children’s attitudes towards augmented reality picture books (ARPB), their story comprehension performance (SCP) and the relationships between these variables. The sample consisted of 92 fiveand six-year-olds (49 boys, 43 girls). An attitude form, story comprehension test and interview form were used as data collection tools. Most of the children reported feeling “very happy” with the activity and enjoyed using the ARPB, which they found interesting and fun. The children also delivered strong story SCP. Their happiness was found to affect their SCP, while their enjoyment did not. ARPB are attractive and evocative for children, who perceive them as magic and more enjoyable than conventional books. This study demonstrates how they can be used as effective educational tools to improve preschool children’s cognition and listening skills. Introduction Technology is developing at a rapid pace that has dramatically affected education. With one new technology used in education, augmented reality (AR), students interact with virtual and real worlds in real time (Azuma, 1997, 2004). As the educational potential of AR technology is beginning to be researched, numerous applications are being designed. One of the most wellknown AR educational applications is the MagicBook (Billinghurst, Kato, & Poupyrev, 2001). The MagicBook looks like a normal book, but AR markers are included in the interface. Users look at pictures, turn pages and read text without any external technology. With AR displays, however, users can view multimedia materials such as three-dimensional (3D) virtual models or videos and manipulate virtual objects using real physical markers and natural motions (Billinghurst et al., 2001). This interaction is an interesting way to bridge real and virtual worlds. Physical objects provide natural interactions compared with traditional computer input devices (Bujak et al., 2013). Further, the appearance of 3D objects on the pages creates a magical feeling that captures and keeps the attention of students during learning. The creation of these books is cost-effective and simple, requiring only proper AR software and a webcam-enabled PC VC 2016 British Educational Research Association British Journal of Educational Technology Vol 48 No 3 2017 824–841 doi:10.1111/bjet.12452