Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
X-Band Phase-Gradient Metasurface for High-Gain Lens Antenna Application

We propose a high-gain transmitting lens antenna by employing layered phase-gradient metasurface (MS). The MS is engineered to focus the propagating plane wave to a point with high efficiency. An X-band patch antenna is placed at the focal point of the MS as a feed source, and then the quasi-spherical wave emitted by the source is transformed to plane wave. Due to the successful conversion of quasi-spherical wave to plane wave, the beam width of the patch antenna has been decreased 66° and the gain has been enhanced 11.6 dB. The proposed lens antenna not only opens up a new route for the applications of phase-gradient MS in microwave band, but also affords an alternative for high-gain antenna.
Application of Haralick texture features in brain [18F]-florbetapir positron emission tomography without reference region normalization

Objectives Semi-quantitative image analysis methods in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) require normalization of positron emission tomography (PET) images. However, recent studies have found variabilities associated with reference region selection of amyloid PET images. Haralick features (HFs) generated from the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) quantify spatial characteristics of amyloid PET radiotracer uptake without the need for intensity normalization. The objective of this study is to calculate several HFs in different diagnostic groups and determine the group differences. Methods All image and metadata were acquired through the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. Subjects were grouped in three ways: by clinical diagnosis, by APOE e4 allele, and by Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) score. Several GLCM matrices were calculated for different direction and distances (1–4 mm) from multiple regions on PET images. The HFs, contrast, correlation, dissimilarity, energy, entropy, and homogeneity, were calculated from these GLCMs. Wilcoxon tests and Student t-tests were performed on Haralick features and standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) values, respectively, to determine group differences. In addition to statistical testing, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to determine the discrimination performance of the selected regional HFs and the SUVR values. Results Preliminary results from statistical testing indicate that HFs were capable of distinguishing groups at baseline and follow-up (false discovery rate corrected p<0.05) in particular regions at much higher occurrences than SUVR (81 of 252). Conversely, we observed nearly no significant differences between all groups within ROIs at baseline or follow-up utilizing SUVR. From the ROC analysis, we found that the Energy and Entropy offered the best performance to distinguish Normal versus mild cognitive impairment and ADAS-Cog negative versus ADAS-Cog positive groups. Conclusion These results suggest that this technique could improve subject stratification in AD drug trials and help to evaluate the disease progression and treatment effects longitudinally without the disadvantages associated with intensity normalization.
Organizational Capabilities and Profitability

The resource-based view (RBV) posits that the sustainability of a firm’s success depends upon the creation, development, and implementation of a given organization’s unique resources and capabilities. Based on this theoretical framework, this article analyzes the relationship between organizational capabilities, business strategy, and profitability in the Portuguese textile industry. The strong relationship between these variables suggests that the organizational capabilities and the choice of business strategy may be the key to increase the profitability in this study context. So, the ability of the Portuguese textile organizations to change their business strategy based on their organizational capabilities affects profitability in a number of ways. Concretely, the results of this study highlight the importance of the choice of the business strategy as a partial mediator between the organizational capabilities and the profitability, a point that is crucial to understanding the success of a given organization and how resources and capabilities contribute to the process. The article concludes with a number of managerial implications and directions for future research.
Benefits of massage therapy for hospitalized patients: a descriptive and qualitative evaluation.

CONTEXT Some acute and long-term care facilities are instituting massage therapy programs to support their patients' health, healing, and quality of life. Evaluation of the impact of these programs from the perspective of patients, providers, and therapists is important for administrative decision making and the design of future outcomes research. OBJECTIVE To uncover and elucidate a range of patient outcomes of a therapeutic massage program within an acute care setting. DESIGN Descriptive and qualitative evaluation. Surveys and narrative reports were completed by 70 patients, 14 healthcare providers, and 4 massage therapists. SETTING A large university hospital. PATIENTS 113 hospitalized patients received 1 to 4 massages during the course of their hospital stay. INTERVENTION Massage therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Narrative data were coded into 8 categories (pain, sleep, tension/anxiety, body awareness, physical functioning, psychological support, enhancing healing, and value). Selected patient responses were included to elaborate the meanings of these categories. RESULTS The most frequently identified outcomes were increased relaxation (98%), a sense of well-being (93%), and positive mood change (88%). More than two thirds of patients attributed enhanced mobility, greater energy, increased participation in treatment, and faster recovery to massage therapy. Thirty-five percent stated that benefits lasted more than 1 day. CONCLUSIONS The study supported the value of this hospital-based massage therapy program and uncovered a range of benefits of massage therapy for hospitalized patients that should be studied further.
Formulaic sequences and perceived oral proficiency: putting a Lexical Approach to the test

This study reports a small-scale experiment that was set up to estimate the extent to which (i) the use of formulaic sequences (standardized phrases such as collocations and idiomatic expressions) can help learners come across as proficient L2 speakers and (ii) an instructional method that emphasizes ‘noticing’of L2 formulaic sequences can help language learners add such phrases to their linguistic repertoire. Participants were 32 college students majoring in English. Over the course of 22 teaching hours they were exposed to considerable quantities of authentic listening and reading materials. During exploration of those materials, the experimental students (N = 17) were made aware of standardized word combinations, while in the control group (N = 15) the traditional grammar-lexis dichotomy was upheld. Afterwards, the participants’ oral proficiency was gauged in an interview by two blind judges. Both perceived the experimental group as more proficient than the control group. Two other blind judges counted the number of word combinations in the interviews that they considered to be formulaic sequences. Their counts correlated well with the oral proficiency ratings, which suggests that helping learners build a repertoire of formulaic sequences can be a useful contribution to improving their oral proficiency.
EMPIRICAL GAME THEORETIC MODELS : CONSTRAINED EQUILIBRIUM & SIMULATIONS ARMANTIER Olivier

We propose an operational concept of Constrained Strategic Equilibrium (CSE) applicable to a broad class of games of incomplete information. We show that a sequence of CSEs approximates an analytically untractable Bayesian Nash equilibrium under standard conditions. In addition, the CSE approach provides a theoretic framework to extend the bounded rationality concept of ”Rule of Thumb” to games of incomplete information. We also propose a powerful algorithm based upon Monte-Carlo simulations to compute the CSEs numerically at a very high level of generality. Finally, we illustrate the flexibility of the CSE approach in a procurement from the French aerospace industry characterized by a complex allocation mechanism.
Can tuberculosis patients in resource-constrained settings afford chest radiography?

Even when tuberculosis (TB) care is free, impoverished patients and their households continue to incur unmanageable costs due to seeking and staying in care for the full duration of anti-TB treatment [1]. By aggravating household vulnerability, these costs can prevent or delay diagnosis, treatment and successful outcome, leading to increased TB transmission, morbidity and mortality [2–4]. The new World Health Organization (WHO)'s End TB Strategy places greater emphasis on ensuring universal free access to care, and it includes a target of elimination of associated catastrophic costs for TB patients and their households by 2020 [5]. In many low- and middle-income countries chest radiographs are not free of charge for TB patients http://ow.ly/SA7l305Yzk2
An Assessment of Methods and Remote-Sensing Derived Covariates for Regional Predictions of 1 km Daily Maximum Air Temperature

The monitoring and prediction of biodiversity and environmental changes is constrained by the availability of accurate and spatially contiguous climatic variables at fine temporal and spatial grains. In this study, we evaluate best practices for generating gridded, one-kilometer resolution, daily maximum air temperature surfaces in a regional context, the state of Oregon, USA. Covariates used in the interpolation include remote sensing derived elevation, aspect, canopy height, percent forest cover and MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST). Because of missing values, we aggregated daily LST values as long term (2000–2010) monthly climatologies to leverage its spatial detail in the interpolation. We predicted temperature with three methods—Universal Kriging, Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Generalized Additive Models (GAM)—and assessed predictions using meteorological stations over 365 days in 2010. We find that GAM is least sensitive to overtraining (overfitting) and results in lowest errors in term of distance to closest training stations. Mean elevation, LST, and distance to ocean are flagged most frequently as significant covariates among all daily predictions. Results indicate that GAM with latitude, longitude and elevation is the top model but that LST has potential in providing additional fine-grained spatial structure related to land cover effects. The study also highlights the need for more rigorous methods and data to evaluate the spatial structure and fine grained accuracy of predicted surfaces.
A Comprehensive Theoretical Model of Psychological Reaction to Loss

This article describes a multidimensional model which may be applicable to study three types of loss, interpersonal loss, loss of a limb or function, and environmental loss or loss of peace of mind. It is a preliminary attempt to collate relevant variables associated with the three types of loss into one comprehensive model which assumes that the dynamic processes associated with and encountered in one area of loss can be extrapolated for use in comprehending other areas of loss. A number of testable hypotheses can be derived for future validation and research.
Regulation of emotions in individuals experiencing psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

Despite the long history of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), relatively little is known about the mechanisms that cause and maintain this condition. Emerging research evidence suggests that patients with PNES might have difficulties in regulating their emotions. However, much remains to be learned about the nature of these difficulties and the emotional responses of individuals with PNES. The present study aimed to gain a detailed understanding of emotion regulation processes in patients with PNES, by examining differences between PNES patients and a healthy control group with regards to intensity of emotional reactions, understanding of one’s emotional experience, beliefs about emotions and control of emotional expression. A cross-sectional design was used to compare the PNES group (n=56) and the healthy control group (n=88) on a range of self-report measures. Participants with a diagnosis of PNES reported significantly poorer understanding of their emotions, more negative beliefs about emotions and more control of emotional expression than participants in the control group. Whilst intensity of emotions did not discriminate between the groups, poor understanding and negative beliefs about emotions were found to be significant predictors of PNES, even after controlling for age, education level and emotional distress. Furthermore, the presence of some emotion regulation difficulties was associated with self reported seizure severity. This study provides some evidence supporting emotion regulation difficulties in PNES population, particularly with regards to poor understanding of emotions and negative beliefs about feelings. These findings need to be replicated in future research before definite conclusions can be drawn. The need for tailored psychological therapies addressing specific emotion regulation difficulties is highlighted.
PMTCT from research to reality--results from a routine service.

OBJECTIVES Assessment of the efficacy of a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in a routine service setting in comparison to a research environment. DESIGN Descriptive study over a 13-month period utilising retrospective data obtained from hospital records complemented by prospective data on a sample of patients enrolled in a study to determine an affordable HIV diagnostic protocol for infants. SETTING Routine PMTCT service at Coronation Women and Children's Hospital (CWCH) situated in Johannesburg and affiliated to the University of the Witwatersrand. SUBJECTS Pregnant women known to be HIV infected who delivered at CWCH from 1 October 2001 to 31 October 2002. OUTCOME MEASURES The HIV transmission rate to infants, which reflects nevirapine (NVP) delivery and infant feeding practices, and follow-up rates of perinatally exposed children. RESULTS Of the 8,221 deliveries, 1,234 (15%) occurred in women known to be HIV infected. HIV transmission rates of 8.7% at 6 weeks and 8.9% at 3 months of age in the study population verifies the high rate of NVP administration and the ability of women to formula-feed their babies and abstain from breast-feeding. More than one-third of infants never return for follow-up and more than 70% are lost to follow-up by 4 months of age. CONCLUSIONS The low HIV transmission rate confirms the efficacy of this routine service PMTCT programme. HIV-infected children are not being identified for medical management as part of PMTCT follow-up. It is imperative that record keeping is improved to facilitate ongoing monitoring.
Developmental D‐methamphetamine treatment selectively induces spatial navigation impairments in reference memory in the Morris water maze while sparing working memory

In previous studies, we have shown that P11‐20 treatment with D‐methamphetamine (MA) (10 mg/kg × 4/day at 2‐h intervals) induces impairments in spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze after the offspring reach adulthood. Using a split‐litter, multiple dose, design (0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg MA administered s.c. 4/day at 2‐h intervals), the spatial learning effect was further explored with a multiple shifted platform (reversal), reference memory‐based procedure and a working memory procedure. Prior to spatial learning, animals were first tested for swimming ability (in a straight swimming channel), sequential learning (in the Cincinnati multiple‐T water maze), and proximal cue learning (in the Morris water maze). Rats were then assessed in the hidden platform, reference memory‐based spatial version of the Morris maze for acquisition and on five subsequent phases in which the platform was moved to new locations. After the reference memory‐based, fixed platform position learning phases, animals were tested in the trial‐dependent, matching‐to‐sample, working memory version of the Morris maze. No group differences were found in straight channel, sequential maze, or cued Morris maze performance. By contrast, all MA groups were impaired in spatial learning during acquisition, multiple shift, and shifted with a reduced platform phases of reference memory‐based learning. In addition, MA animals were impaired on memory (probe) trials during the acquisition and shifted with a reduced platform phases of learning. No effects on trial‐dependent, matching‐to‐sample, working memory were found. The findings demonstrate that neonatal treatment with MA induces a selective impairment of reference memory‐based spatial learning while sparing sequential, cued, and working memory‐based learning. Synapse 48:138–148, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Processing of Scalar Inferences by Mandarin Learners of English: An Online Measure

Scalar inferences represent the condition when a speaker uses a weaker expression such as some in a pragmatic scale like , and s/he has the intention to reject the stronger use of the other word like all in the utterance. Considerable disagreement has arisen concerning how interlocutors derive the inferences. The study presented here tries to address this issue by examining online scalar inferences among Mandarin learners of English. To date, Default Inference and Relevance Theory have made different predictions regarding how people process scalar inferences. Findings from recently emerging first language studies did not fully resolved the debate but led to even more heated debates. The current three online psycholinguistic experiments reported here tried to address the processing of scalar inferences from second language perspective. Results showed that Mandarin learners of English showed faster reaction times and a higher acceptance rate when interpreting some as some but not all and this was true even when subjects were under time pressure, which was manifested in Experiment 2. Overall, the results of the experiments supported Default Theory. In addition, Experiment 3 also found that working memory capacity plays a critical role during scalar inference processing. High span readers were faster in accepting the some but not all interpretation than low span readers. However, compared with low span readers, high span readers were more likely to accept the some and possibly all condition, possibly due to their working memory capacity to generate scenarios to fit the interpretation.
A gene encoding, prespore‐cell‐inducing factor in Dictyostelium discoideum

Two factors that exist in conditioned medium (CM) of Dictyostelium discoideum induce amoebae to differentiate into prespore cells when they are incubated at a very low cell density in submerged monolayer culture. Previously, we purified one of them, a glycoprotein factor with an apparent molecular mass of 106 kDa, and we named it ψ factor (psi, prespore‐inducing factor). Based on the partial amino acid sequence of the purified ψ factor, we have isolated the corresponding cDNA clone, which is expressed maximally at the loose mound stage. The cDNA encodes a novel protein and the predicted molecular mass of the mature secreted protein is 60 kDa. Knockout mutant strains of the ψ factor gene, psiA–, were created by targeted integration. Although these mutant strains appear to develop normally, CM from these mutants showed reduced prespore‐cell‐inducing activity. Rescuing the mutant strains by expression of ψ factor under control of a constitutive promoter causes overproduction of ψ factor protein and CM from such cells showed a 20‐fold higher level of prespore‐cell‐inducing activity than that from wild‐type cells. Further, CM from parental cells induced prespore cell division, while that from psiA null strains showed no cell division inducing activity. Our results indicate that ψ factor protein is a novel type of growth factor that does not belong to any of the families of growth factor so far identified in animals.
Gene flow of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in a fragmented landscape

Gene flow dynamics of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) is affected by several human activities in Central Europe, including habitat fragmentation, agroforestry expansion, controlled and uncontrolled transfer of reproductive material, and a recently introduced emerging infectious disease, ash dieback, caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Habitat fragmentation may alter genetic connectivity and effective population size, leading to loss of genetic diversity and increased inbreeding in ash populations. Gene flow from cultivated trees in landscapes close to their native counterparts may also influence the adaptability of future generations. The devastating effects of ash dieback have already been observed in both natural and managed populations in continental Europe. However, potential long-term effects of genetic bottlenecks depend on gene flow across fragmented landscapes. For this reason, we studied the genetic connectivity of ash trees in an isolated forest patch of a fragmented landscape in Rösenbeck, Germany. We applied two approaches to parentage analysis to estimate gene flow patterns at the study site. We specifically investigated the presence of background pollination at the landscape level and the degree of genetic isolation between native and cultivated trees. Local meteorological data was utilized to understand the effect of wind on the pollen and seed dispersal patterns. Gender information of the adult trees was considered for calculating the dispersal distances. We found that the majority of the studied seeds (55–64%) and seedlings (75–98%) in the forest patch were fathered and mothered by the trees within the same patch. However, we determined a considerable amount of pollen flow (26–45%) from outside of the study site, representing background pollination at the landscape level. Limited pollen flow was observed from neighbouring cultivated trees (2%). Both pollen and seeds were dispersed in all directions in accordance with the local wind directions. Whereas there was no positive correlation between pollen dispersal distance and wind speed, the correlation between seed dispersal distance and wind speed was significant (0.71, p < 0.001), indicating that strong wind favours long-distance dispersal of ash seeds. Finally, we discussed the implications of establishing gene conservation stands and the use of enrichment planting in the face of ash dieback.