Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sex Therapy through the Internet for Men with Sexual Dysfunctions: A Pilot Study

Results are described of a pilot study of the efficacy of sex therapy through the Internet for thirty-nine men with erectile dysfunction or rapid ejaculation. Treatment consisted of sex therapy (Masters & Johnson, 1970), had a duration of three months, and was conducted entirely through e-mail. Forty-six percent of the participants dropped out. Fourteen (67%) participants reported an improvement of their sexual functioning. Seven (47%) participants reported the improvement had sustained one month after termination, eight (53%) participants reported no further change. We conclude that sex therapy through the Internet may yield positive results and that further controlled studies are warranted.
Hybrid SHM-SHE Pulse-Amplitude Modulation for High-Power Four-Leg Inverter

This paper presents a hybrid selective harmonic mitigation (SHM)-selective harmonic elimination (SHE) switching technique based on pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM) concept. It has been applied on a four-leg neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter to eliminate and mitigate more harmonic orders than recently proposed hybrid SHM-SHE-pulse width modulation (PWM) method while generating switching pulses at the same frequency. In conventional SHE and SHM techniques, equations are solved to attain the switching angles. Regarding the PAM, value of inverter dc voltage can be considered as an additional degree of freedom by which the flexibility of such techniques would be increased maintaining the switching frequency. In the proposed SHM-SHE-PAM, the conventional equations are reformulated to obtain constant switching angles for a vast range of modulation index (ma) applied on a four-leg NPC inverter. Switching pulses of the three-phase legs and the fourth leg are calculated to mitigate the nontriplen harmonics and eliminate the triplen ones, respectively. Due to the unique switching angles valid in the whole range for ma, the calculation time and volume (storage capacity) are significantly reduced leading to a simpler controller implementable on a low-risk and cheap AVR chip. Experimental tests' results of a four-leg NPC inverter as UPS application prove the good dynamic performance and accuracy of the proposed implemented switching technique in producing associated pulses for the inverter switches at very low frequency to mitigate/eliminate undesired harmonic orders from the output phase/line voltage waveforms without using bulky filters.
Exploring Discourses That Affect Therapists Regarding Single Women

Grounded in the narrative approach, this article describes an innovative, experiential practice for therapists to explore their own stories and interrelations with dominant social discourses concerning singlehood in Israeli Jewish women. As demonstrated, the practice broadens the participants’ awareness of the influences of these discourses on their work. The personal and professional effects of this practice on therapists are discussed, as well as the extended possibilities that are opened up to both the therapists and their clients in the therapy room. Additional ways of using variations of this experiential practice in supervision and in the training of family therapists are suggested.
β-Adrenoreceptors Reactivate Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Lytic Replication via PKA-Dependent Control of Viral RTA

ABSTRACT Reactivation of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) lytic replication is mediated by the viral RTA transcription factor, but little is known about the physiological processes controlling its expression or activity. Links between autonomic nervous system activity and AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma led us to examine the potential influence of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Physiological concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine efficiently reactivated lytic replication of KSHV in latently infected primary effusion lymphoma cells via β-adrenergic activation of the cellular cyclic AMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. Effects were blocked by PKA antagonists and mimicked by pharmacological and physiological PKA activators (prostaglandin E2 and histamine) or overexpression of the PKA catalytic subunit. PKA up-regulated RTA gene expression, enhanced activity of the RTA promoter, and posttranslationally enhanced RTA's trans-activating capacity for its own promoter and heterologous lytic promoters (e.g., the viral PAN gene). Mutation of predicted phosphorylation targets at RTA serines 525 and 526 inhibited PKA-mediated enhancement of RTA trans-activating capacity. Given the high catecholamine levels at sites of KSHV latency such as the vasculature and lymphoid organs, these data suggest that β-adrenergic control of RTA might constitute a significant physiological regulator of KSHV lytic replication. These findings also suggest novel therapeutic strategies for controlling the activity of this oncogenic gammaherpesvirus in vivo.
Reduced expression of FOXP3 and regulatory T-cell function in severe forms of early-onset autoimmune enteropathy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Little is known about the pathophysiology of early onset forms of autoimmune enteropathy (AIE). AIE has been associated with mutations in FOXP3-a transcription factor that controls regulatory T-cell development and function. We analyzed the molecular basis of neonatal or early postnatal AIE using clinical, genetic, and functional immunological studies. METHODS Gastroenterological and immunological features were analyzed in 9 boys and 2 girls with AIE that began within the first 5 months of life. FOXP3 and IL2RA were genotyped in peripheral blood monocytes. FOXP3 messenger RNA and protein expression were analyzed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, and confocal immunofluorescence of CD4(+) T cells. Regulatory T-cell function (CD4(+)CD25(+)) was assayed in coculture systems. RESULTS AIE associated with extraintestinal autoimmunity was severe and life-threatening; all patients required total parenteral nutrition. Regulatory T cells from 7 patients had altered function and FOXP3 mutations that resulted in lost or reduced FOXP3 protein expression; 2 infants had reduced regulatory T-cell activity and reduced levels of FOXP3 protein, although we did not detect mutations in FOXP3 coding region, poly-A site, or promoter region (called FOXP3-dependent AIE). Two patients had a normal number of regulatory T cells that expressed normal levels of FOXP3 protein and normal regulatory activity in in vitro coculture assays (called FOXP3-independent AIE). No mutations in IL2RA were found. CONCLUSIONS Most cases of AIE are associated with alterations in regulatory T-cell function; some, but not all, cases have mutations that affect FOXP3 expression levels. Further studies are needed to identify mechanisms of AIE pathogenesis.
Comparing Binaural Pre-processing Strategies III

A comprehensive evaluation of eight signal pre-processing strategies, including directional microphones, coherence filters, single-channel noise reduction, binaural beamformers, and their combinations, was undertaken with normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners. Speech reception thresholds (SRTs) were measured in three noise scenarios (multitalker babble, cafeteria noise, and single competing talker). Predictions of three common instrumental measures were compared with the general perceptual benefit caused by the algorithms. The individual SRTs measured without pre-processing and individual benefits were objectively estimated using the binaural speech intelligibility model. Ten listeners with NH and 12 HI listeners participated. The participants varied in age and pure-tone threshold levels. Although HI listeners required a better signal-to-noise ratio to obtain 50% intelligibility than listeners with NH, no differences in SRT benefit from the different algorithms were found between the two groups. With the exception of single-channel noise reduction, all algorithms showed an improvement in SRT of between 2.1 dB (in cafeteria noise) and 4.8 dB (in single competing talker condition). Model predictions with binaural speech intelligibility model explained 83% of the measured variance of the individual SRTs in the no pre-processing condition. Regarding the benefit from the algorithms, the instrumental measures were not able to predict the perceptual data in all tested noise conditions. The comparable benefit observed for both groups suggests a possible application of noise reduction schemes for listeners with different hearing status. Although the model can predict the individual SRTs without pre-processing, further development is necessary to predict the benefits obtained from the algorithms at an individual level.
A Personalized Predictive Model that Jointly Optimizes Discrimination and Calibration

Precision medicine is accelerating rapidly in the field of health research. This includes fitting predictive models for individual patients based on patient similarity in an attempt to improve model performance. We propose an algorithm which fits a personalized predictive model (PPM) using an optimal size of a similar subpopulation that jointly optimizes model discrimination and calibration, as it is criticized that calibration is not assessed nearly as often as discrimination despite poorly calibrated models being potentially misleading. We define a mixture loss function that considers model discrimination and calibration, and allows for flexibility in emphasizing one performance measure over another. We empirically show that the relationship between the size of subpopulation and calibration is quadratic, which motivates the development of our jointly optimized model. We also investigate the effect of within-population patient weighting on performance and conclude that the size of subpopulation has a larger effect on the predictive performance of the PPM compared to the choice of weight function.
A frequency domain iterative feed-forward learning scheme for high performance periodic quadrocopter maneuvers

Quadrocopters exhibit complex high-speed fight dynamics, and the accurate modeling of these dynamics has proven diffcult. Due to the use of simplifed models in the design of feedback control algorithms, the execution of highperformance fight maneuvers under pure feedback control typically leads to large tracking errors. This paper investigates an iterative learning scheme aimed at the non-causal compensation of repeatable trajectory tracking errors over the course of multiple executions of periodic maneuvers. The learning is carried out in the frequency domain and uses a simplifed model of the closed-loop dynamics of quadrocopter and feedback controller. The resulting algorithm requires little computational power and memory, and its convergence is shown for the nominal model. This paper further introduces a time-scaling method that allows the initial learning to occur at reduced speeds, thus extending the applicability of the algorithm for high performance maneuvers. The presented algorithms are validated in experiments, with a quadrocopter fying a fgure-eight maneuver at high speed.
In judo, Randori (free fight) and Kata (highly ritualized fight) differentially change plasma cortisol, testosterone, and interleukin levels in male participants

Two forms of competitive encounters namely Randori (free fight) and Kata (highly ritualized fight) were studied in 22 professional male judo fighters. The dyadic, symmetrical (in terms of body weight and fighting ability) encounters were videotaped to assess relationships between agonistic behavior and individual variations in plasma levels of testosterone (T), cortisol (C) and interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1 beta) measured before and after the competition. Unremarkably, winners showed longer attack but devoted less time to defensive behaviors when compared to losers. T increased only during Randori but the individual pre- and post-competition T levels recorded in such fights were strongly correlated with the corresponding measures in the Kata for the same individuals. Interestingly, the pre- and post-Randori competition T levels were higher in losers than in winners and T variations positively correlated with the frequencies of attacks and with the duration of defensive postures. The T response shows individual variation and seems to reflect evaluation of the likelihood of winning or losing. Both Randori and Kata induced a marked C increase, although the pre- and post-Randori hormonal titers were higher than those found for the Kata. IL-6 significantly increased between the pre- and the post-Randori competition, but no such changes occurred during the Kata. No correlations were found between individual pre- and post-competition C and IL-6 and IL-1 beta levels in either Randori or Kata. This suggests that C and cytokine release are unrelated to emotional or cognitive perception of the possible outcome of fighting but are a consequence of general motor activity. Martial arts appear to provide good human models to understand: (a) the relationships between conflict, hormones and the immune system and (b) the relationships between mood and physiological responses to competitive aggression. Language: en
Sharp total variation rates of convergence for fluctuations of linear statistics of $\beta$-ensembles

In this article, we revisit the question of fluctuations of linear statistics of beta ensembles in the single cut and non-critical regime for general potentials $V$ under mild regularity and growth assumptions. Our main objective is to establish sharp quantitative Central Limit Theorems (CLT) for strong distances, such as the total variation distance, which to the best of our knowledge, is new for general potentials, even qualitatively. Namely, setting $\mu_V$ the equilibrium measure, for a test function $\xi \in \mathscr{C}^{14}$, we establish the convergence in total variation of $X_n=\sum_{i=1}^n \xi(\lambda_i)-n\langle \xi,\mu_V\rangle$ to an explicit Gaussian variable at the sharp speed $1/n$. Under the same assumptions, we also establish multivariate CLTs for vectors of linear statistics in $p-$Wasserstein distances for any $p\ge 1$, with the optimal rate $1/n$, a result which already in dimension one sharpens the speed of convergence established in the recent contribution [26] as well as the required regularity on the test functions. A second objective of this paper, in a more qualitative direction, is to establish the so-called super-convergence of linear statistics, that is to say the convergence of all derivatives of the densities of $X_n$ uniformly on $\mathbb{R}$, provided that $\xi\in\mathscr{C}^\infty(\mathbb{R})$ and is not too degenerated in some sense.
Superlattice induced electron percolation within a single Landau level

We investigate the quantum Hall effect in a single Landau level in the presence of a square superlattice of $\delta$-function potentials. The interplay between the superlattice spacing $a_s$ and the magnetic length $\ell_B$ in clean system leads to three interesting characteristic regimes corresponding to $a_s \lt \ell_B$, $a_s \gg \ell_B$ and the intermediate one where $a_s \sim \ell_B$ . In the intermediate regime, the continuous magnetic translation symmetry breaks down to discrete lattice symmetry. In contrast, we show that in the other two regimes, the same is hardly broken in the topological band despite the presence of the superlattice. In the presence of weak disorder (white-noise) one typically expects a tiny fraction of extended states due to topological protection of the Landau level. Interestingly, we obtain a large fraction of extended states throughout the intermediate regime which maximizes at the special point $a_s = \sqrt{2\pi} \ell_B$. We argue the superlattice induced percolation phenomenon requires both the breaking of the time reversal symmetry and the continuous magnetic translational symmetry. It could have a direct implication on the integer plateau transitions in both continuous quantum Hall systems and the lattice based anomalous quantum Hall effect.
Cognitive Biases and the Emotional Disorders

Four types of cognitive bias involving selective processing of emotion-relevant information are discussed vis-à-vis their relevance for understanding emotion-cognition interactions and for understanding the etiology and maintenance of the emotional disorders. Anxiety, but not depression, appears to be associated with an attentional bias for threatening material. Depression, but not anxiety, appears to be associated with a memory bias for negative mood-congruent material. Phobias, anxiety, and depression all appear to be associated with mood-congruent judgmental biases. Finally, selective associations in fear conditioning are a form of associative bias implicated in the origins of fears and phobias.
Role of [Ca2+]i in the ATP-induced heat sensitization process of rat nociceptive neurons.

In inflamed tissue, nociceptors show increased sensitivity to noxious heat, which may account for heat hyperalgesia. In unmyelinated nociceptive afferents in rat skin in vitro, a drop of heat threshold and an increase in heat responses were induced by experimental elevation of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels with the calcium ionophore ionomycin (10 microM). Similar results were obtained in experiments employing [Ca2+]i release from preloaded "caged calcium" (NITR-5/AM) via UV photolysis. In both cases, sensitization was prevented by preventing rises in [Ca2+]i with the membrane-permeant calcium chelator BAPTA-AM (1 mM). No pronounced change of mechanical sensitivity was observed. Heat-induced membrane currents (Iheat) were investigated with patch-clamp recordings, and simultaneous calcium measurements were performed in small sensory neurons isolated from adult rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Ionomycin-induced rises in [Ca2+]i resulted in reversible sensitization of Iheat. In the same subset of DRG neurons, the endogenous algogen ATP (100 microM) was used to elevate [Ca2+]i, which again resulted in significant sensitization of Iheat. In correlative recordings from the skin-nerve preparation, ATP induced heat sensitization of nociceptors, which again could be blocked by preincubation with BAPTA-AM. Rises in [Ca2+]i in response to inflammatory mediators, e.g., ATP, thus appear to play a central role in plastic changes of nociceptors, which may account for hypersensitivity of inflamed tissue.
Hacia una etnografía doblemente reflexiva: Una propuesta desde la antropología de la interculturalidad

Partiendo del debate actual sobre la metodología etnográfica en antropología, este trabajo analiza cómo en el proceso de interculturalización educativa surgen nuevas opciones metodológicas y cómo estas pueden retroalimentar, rejuvenecer y descolonizar la clásica etnografía antropológica. El contraste entre una antropología postmoderna y de tendencia “academicista”, por un lado, y una etnografía activista y militante, por otro, revela posibilidades de complementar fructíferamente el compromiso social y político con el canon clásico de la etnografía, lo cual aquí demostramos para el ámbito de los estudios interculturales y lo que se está dando por llamar la naciente antropología de la interculturalidad. La resultante “etnografía doblemente reflexiva” completa la concatenación de perspectivas emic y etic con una perspectiva dialéctica y estructural emic-etic, que es particularmente aplicable al estudio de instituciones y organizaciones, cuyos actores co-refl exionan sobre el mismo proceso de investigación junto con el/la antropólogo/a. Esta propuesta desemboca por último en un modelo heurístico tridimensional que concatena dimensiones semánticas, pragmáticas y sintácticas del quehacer etnográfi co y que es particularmente útil en contextos “inter-culturales”, “inter-lingües” e “inter-actorales”.
Who Studies Women's Studies?

ABSTRACT This article reports the initial findings of a study of the cohort of students who entered Liverpool John Moores University, England, to study women's studies in the autumn of 1994, basing its focus on the survey carried out as soon as the students entered the University and the in-depth interviews carried out later in that semester. The work proceeded within the tradition of grounded theory research and endeavoured to avoid prepared hypotheses in order to allow the themes to emerge from the students' answers. From the initial findings, the very strong emphasis on the salience of the students' choice of women's studies and the experiential importance of identity as a concept was striking. The article debates the theoretical difficulties in the theorising of identity in relation to the empirical, existential project of the students.
Maintenance of Basal Levels of Autophagy in Huntington’s Disease Mouse Models Displaying Metabolic Dysfunction

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded polyglutamine repeat in the huntingtin protein. Neuropathology in the basal ganglia and in the cerebral cortex has been linked to the motor and cognitive symptoms whereas recent work has suggested that the hypothalamus might be involved in the metabolic dysfunction. Several mouse models of HD that display metabolic dysfunction have hypothalamic pathology, and expression of mutant huntingtin in the hypothalamus has been causally linked to the development of metabolic dysfunction in mice. Although the pathogenic mechanisms by which mutant huntingtin exerts its toxic functions in the HD brain are not fully known, several studies have implicated a role for the lysososomal degradation pathway of autophagy. Interestingly, changes in autophagy in the hypothalamus have been associated with the development of metabolic dysfunction in wild-type mice. We hypothesized that expression of mutant huntingtin might lead to changes in the autophagy pathway in the hypothalamus in mice with metabolic dysfunction. We therefore investigated whether there were changes in basal levels of autophagy in a mouse model expressing a fragment of 853 amino acids of mutant huntingtin selectively in the hypothalamus using a recombinant adeno-associate viral vector approach as well as in the transgenic BACHD mice. We performed qRT-PCR and Western blot to investigate the mRNA and protein expression levels of selected autophagy markers. Our results show that basal levels of autophagy are maintained in the hypothalamus despite the presence of metabolic dysfunction in both mouse models. Furthermore, although there were no major changes in autophagy in the striatum and cortex of BACHD mice, we detected modest, but significant differences in levels of some markers in mice at 12 months of age. Taken together, our results indicate that overexpression of mutant huntingtin in mice do not significantly perturb basal levels of autophagy.