Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trellis-coded differential unitary space-time modulation in slow flat fading channels with interleaver

This paper considers trellis-coded differential unitary spacetime modulation for multiple-antenna systems when neither the transmitter nor the receiver has access to channel state information. The channel is assumed to be slowly time-varying flat Rayleigh fading with ideal interleaver. We derive the metric for maximum likelihood differential decoding and the Chernoff bound for pairwise error probability. We show that performance is dominated by the minimum Hamming distance which contributes linearly to the order of diversity. Code construction is described for rate m/(m + 1) trellis codes. Several code examples are provided based on diagonal cyclic group constellations for two transmit antennas with data rate 1 and 2 bits/s/Hz. Simulation results show that the proposed trellis-coded differential scheme can achieve high data rate communications by medium signal-to-noise ratio without channel estimation.
Predictive Power of Parenting Styles on Children’s Social Skills

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and children’s social skills, establishing significant correlations between those two constructs. A total of 202 children, 7 to 10 years old, male and female, attending second to fourth year of government schools in São Paulo, Brazil, were participants of this research. They collectively completed Children’s Social Skills Test (THAS-C) and Parental Styles Inventory (IEP). Results suggest that positive parental styles are predictors of altruism, while negative parental styles are predictors of assertiveness, conversation, and social confidence. Regarding general social skills, variables that offered the best probable model were positive monitoring, lax discipline, moral behavior, and physical abuse (the higher the general social skill, the lesser the abusive parenting styles). As a conclusion, it seems that different social skills are related to positive and negative parenting styles, reinforcing the idea of a social skill as an attribute of behavior.
The role of parental locus of control in the relations among early childhood temperament, parenting practices, and child externalizing behavior

ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . iv LIST OF TABLES . viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . xi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION . 1 Theories of Child Development . 2 Temperament Theory . 4 Temperament as a Predictor of Child Externalizing Behavior . 8 Parenting Behavior as it Relates to Child Temperament and Externalizing Behavior . 9 The Indirect Effect of Temperament on Child Externalizing Behavior through Parenting . 14 Locus of Control Applied to Parenting . 16 Parental Locus of Control as a Moderator . 18 Summary and Current Study . 22 Hypotheses . 23 CHAPTER II METHOD . 27 Participants . 27 Measures . 30 Children’s Behavior Questionnaire . 30 vi Parental Locus of Control Scale . 31 Alabama Parenting Questionnaire – Preschool Revision . 33 Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory . 34 Demographic Form . 35 Procedure . 35 CHAPTER III RESULTS . 38 Preliminary Analyses . 38 Descriptive Data on Variables of Interest . 40 Data Analytic Model . 43 Zero-order Correlations . 43 Hypothesis 1. 43 Hypothesis 2. 45 Statistical Analyses for Hypotheses 3-8 . 45 Results of Preliminary Mediation Analyses for Hypotheses 3-5 . 47 Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 3 (PLOC) . 50 Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 4 (Parental Control of Child’s Behavior; PCCB) . 50 Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 5 (Parental Self-efficacy) . 51 Results of Preliminary Mediation Analyses for Hypotheses 6-8 . 52 Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 6 (PLOC) . 55 vii Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 7 (Parental Control of Child’s Behavior). 57 Moderated-mediation analyses for Hypothesis 8 (Parental Self-efficacy) . 58 CHAPTER IV – DISCUSSION. 60 Limitations and Directions for Future Research . 66 Conclusions . 69 APPENDIX A – Demographic Form . 71 APPENDIX B – IRB Approval Letter . 75 APPENDIX C – Parent Informed Consent Form . 76 APPENDIX D – Tables of Nonsignificant Moderated-Mediation Results . 78 REFERENCES . 85
Prasugrel achieves greater and faster P2Y12receptor-mediated platelet inhibition than clopidogrel due to more efficient generation of its active metabolite in aspirin-treated patients with coronary artery disease.

AIMS P2Y(12) receptor antagonism and platelet inhibition by prasugrel vs. clopidogrel were investigated in patients with stable coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS One hundred and ten aspirin treated subjects were randomized to double-blind treatment with clopidogrel (n = 55) 600 mg loading dose (LD) and 75 mg maintenance dose (MD) or prasugrel (n = 55) 60 mg LD and 10 mg MD for 28 days. Concentrations of prasugrel and clopidogrel active metabolites were determined. Platelet aggregation to 20 microM adenosine diphosphate, measured by light transmission aggregometry, was reported as maximal platelet aggregation (MPA). P2Y(12) function was assessed by the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein assay and reported as platelet reactivity index (PRI). The same pharmacodynamic measurements were performed after ex vivo addition of clopidogrel's active metabolite. At 2 h post-LD, mean MPA was 31 vs. 55%, and mean PRI 8.3 vs. 55.9% for prasugrel and clopidogrel, respectively (P < 0.001). During MD on day 14 and 28, mean MPA was 42 vs. 54% and mean PRI was 25 vs. 51%, respectively (P < 0.001). Peak level of the active metabolite and P2Y(12) inhibition occurred earlier and was greater with prasugrel (P < 0.001). Mean area under the time-concentration curve (AUC; microM.h) of the respective active metabolite was higher with prasugrel vs. clopidogrel post-LD (1.11 vs. 0.24) and post-MD (0.16 vs. 0.062). Ex vivo addition of clopidogrel's active metabolite further reduced PRI in all patients whose platelets were not already maximally inhibited. CONCLUSION In aspirin-treated subjects with coronary artery disease, prasugrel 60/10 mg provides faster onset and greater inhibition of P2Y(12) receptor-mediated platelet aggregation than clopidogrel 600/75 mg, because of greater and more efficient generation of the active metabolite.
European Conference on Information Systems ( ECIS ) Summer 10-6-2011 CUSTOMER-ORIENTED CONFIGURATION SYSTEMS : ONE TYPE FITS ALL ?

Product configuration systems are useful instruments of individualization in the field of mass customization. Recent studies have shown that the two factors Expertise and the Motivation to process information have a significant influence on the preference of configurators. In this paper we consider the influence of those two factors on the fit of two types of configuration systems: Parameter-based and Needs-based configurators. While a Parameter-based system allows users to specify design parameters, a Needs-based configurator calculates those parameters based on the users weighted needs. To test the fit of each configurator depending on the Expertise and the Motivation of users, we carried out an experiment. Therefore, we developed a prototype for both types of configuration systems. We found out that Parameter-based systems are more appropriate for customers with high Expertise and high Motivation to process information. Contrary, for customers with low Expertise and Motivation companies are better advised to use Needs-based configurators.
A Comparison of Three Professional Development Mechanisms for Improving the Quality of Standards-Based IEP Objectives

Professional development is a necessary component of maintaining competency in professional practice. Technology has opened the door to new formats for delivering professional development, in addition to more traditional modes of training. This study compared three professional development formats for improving the quality of standards-based Individualized Education Program objectives written by school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Forty-seven SLPs were randomly assigned to one of three professional development formats. Fourteen SLPs assigned to the web-based group read training content presented on a website. The 17 SLPs in the workshop group attended a workshop, while the 18 SLPs in the peer coaching group attended the workshop followed by 2 months of peer coaching conducted through a website. No follow-up support was provided to the web-based and workshop groups. Results show that all groups improved; however, the workshop and peer coaching groups made significant improvements compared with the web-based group. Surprisingly, the peer coaching group did not demonstrate continued improvement. The type of coaching, in this case, peer coaching in which two novices observed and provided feedback to each other, may account for the observed plateau in performance. Factors to be considered when matching learner outcomes to professional development activities are summarized and discussed.
Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1-Independent Induction of Apoptosis in Infected Macrophages bySalmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium

ABSTRACT The enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium induces apoptosis in infected macrophages. This process is rapid, specific, and depends on the type III protein secretion system encoded within Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1). Here, we demonstrate that serotype Typhimurium can activate programmed macrophage cell death independently of SPI1. SPI1 independent induction of apoptosis in infected macrophages is observed as early as 12 to 13 h postinfection, even in the absence of intracellular bacterial replication. Delayed activation of programmed macrophage cell death is not observed with serotype Typhimurium strains mutated inompR or SPI2. Even though SPI2 mutants have a defect in intracellular proliferation, our results indicate that long-term intracellular survival and growth are not required for delayed macrophage killing per se, since Salmonella mutants that are severely defective in intracellular growth still induce delayed apoptosis. Inactivation of genes required for either rapid or delayed induction of apoptosis results in a conditional noncytotoxic phenotype, whereas simultaneous inactivation of genes required for both rapid and delayed induction of apoptosis renders serotype Typhimurium noncytotoxic under all conditions tested. Our hypothesis is that differential activation of programmed macrophage cell death by serotype Typhimurium occurs under discrete physiological conditions at distinct locations within an infected host.
Adaptive Strategies in Power Systems Protection Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques

The present generation of digital protection devices allows the implementation of adaptive strategies for power system protection. This paper presents an overview of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to improve some aspects of power systems protection, especially adaptive protection. Each technique is briefly described and in the sequence some applications of this technique to the problem being discussed are presented. The study focuses on the following techniques: Multi-agent Systems, Artificial Neural Networks, Genetic Algorithms, Expert Systems and Fuzzy Logic. This review shows that with the technology available today, some old unsolved issues of power system protection can now be solved and well-known protection philosophies can become more effective and reliable. systems. Numerous works can be found in the literature with promising results (2). Some AI techniques are more applicable than other as far as adaptive protection is concerned. This paper will firstly present some AI techniques that are currently being used to implement adaptive strategies to protect EPS. In the sequence other AI techniques are discussed in order to highlight features in certain applications of power system protection.
The chiral critical point of Nf = 3 QCD at finite density to the order (μ/T)4

QCD with three degenerate quark flavours at zero baryon density exhibits a first order thermal phase transition for small quark masses, which changes to a smooth crossover for some critical quark mass mc0, i.e. the chiral critical point. It is generally believed that as an (even) function of quark chemical potential, the critical point mc(μ) moves to larger quark masses, constituting the critical endpoint of a first order phase transition in theories with m ≥ mc0. To test this, we consider a Taylor expansion of mc(μ) around μ = 0 and determine the first two coefficients from lattice simulations with staggered fermions on Nt = 4 lattices. We employ two different techniques: a) calculating the coefficients directly from a μ = 0 ensemble using a novel finite difference method, and b) fitting them to simulation data obtained for imaginary chemical potentials. The μ2 and μ4 coefficients are found to be negative by both methods, with consistent absolute values. Combining both methods gives evidence that also the μ6 coefficient is negative. Hence, on coarse Nt = 4 lattices a three-flavour theory with m > mc0 does not possess a chiral critical endpoint for quark chemical potentials μ T. Simulations on finer lattices are required for reliable continuum physics. Possible implications for the QCD phase diagram are discussed.
Is Dengue Vector Control Deficient in Effectiveness or Evidence?: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Although a vaccine could be available as early as 2016, vector control remains the primary approach used to prevent dengue, the most common and widespread arbovirus of humans worldwide. We reviewed the evidence for effectiveness of vector control methods in reducing its transmission. Methodology/Principal Findings Studies of any design published since 1980 were included if they evaluated method(s) targeting Aedes aegypti or Ae. albopictus for at least 3 months. Primary outcome was dengue incidence. Following Cochrane and PRISMA Group guidelines, database searches yielded 960 reports, and 41 were eligible for inclusion, with 19 providing data for meta-analysis. Study duration ranged from 5 months to 10 years. Studies evaluating multiple tools/approaches (23 records) were more common than single methods, while environmental management was the most common method (19 studies). Only 9/41 reports were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two out of 19 studies evaluating dengue incidence were RCTs, and neither reported any statistically significant impact. No RCTs evaluated effectiveness of insecticide space-spraying (fogging) against dengue. Based on meta-analyses, house screening significantly reduced dengue risk, OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.05–0.93, p = 0.04), as did combining community-based environmental management and water container covers, OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.15–0.32, p<0.0001). Indoor residual spraying (IRS) did not impact significantly on infection risk (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.22–2.11; p = 0.50). Skin repellents, insecticide-treated bed nets or traps had no effect (p>0.5), but insecticide aerosols (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.44–2.86) and mosquito coils (OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.09–1.91) were associated with higher dengue risk (p = 0.01). Although 23/41 studies examined the impact of insecticide-based tools, only 9 evaluated the insecticide susceptibility status of the target vector population during the study. Conclusions/Significance This review and meta-analysis demonstrate the remarkable paucity of reliable evidence for the effectiveness of any dengue vector control method. Standardised studies of higher quality to evaluate and compare methods must be prioritised to optimise cost-effective dengue prevention.
Acute Exercise Increases Adiponectin Levels in Abdominally Obese Men

Objective. To examine the effect of acute and short-term (~1 week) aerobic exercise training on plasma adiponectin levels in inactive, abdominally obese men. Materials and Methods. Inactive and abdominally obese men (n = 38, waist circumference ≥102 cm) recruited from Kingston, Canada were randomly allocated to perform three bouts of aerobic treadmill exercise at either low (50% VO2 peak) or high (75% VO2 peak) intensity during a 1-week period. Blood samples were taken before and after the first exercise session and 24–72 hours following the completion of the final exercise session. Results. Adiponectin levels were elevated immediately following an acute bout of exercise at both high and low intensities (High: 5.79 ± 0.42 versus 5.05 ± 0.41 ug/mL; Low: 5.24 ± 0.44 versus 4.37 ± 0.44 ug/mL, P < 0.05) and remained elevated following 30 minutes of rest. In comparison to baseline, adiponectin levels were also elevated 24–72 hours following the final exercise session (High: 5.47 ± 0.48 versus 4.88 ± 0.48 ug/mL; Low: 5.18 ± 0.49 versus 4.47 ± 0.49 ug/mL, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Both acute and short-term aerobic exercise result in a significant increase in plasma adiponectin levels in inactive, abdominally obese men independent of intensity.
Driving with Binocular Visual Field Loss? A Study on a Supervised On-Road Parcours with Simultaneous Eye and Head Tracking

Post-chiasmal visual pathway lesions and glaucomatous optic neuropathy cause binocular visual field defects (VFDs) that may critically interfere with quality of life and driving licensure. The aims of this study were (i) to assess the on-road driving performance of patients suffering from binocular visual field loss using a dual-brake vehicle, and (ii) to investigate the related compensatory mechanisms. A driving instructor, blinded to the participants' diagnosis, rated the driving performance (passed/failed) of ten patients with homonymous visual field defects (HP), including four patients with right (HR) and six patients with left homonymous visual field defects (HL), ten glaucoma patients (GP), and twenty age and gender-related ophthalmologically healthy control subjects (C) during a 40-minute driving task on a pre-specified public on-road parcours. In order to investigate the subjects' visual exploration ability, eye movements were recorded by means of a mobile eye tracker. Two additional cameras were used to monitor the driving scene and record head and shoulder movements. Thus this study is novel as a quantitative assessment of eye movements and an additional evaluation of head and shoulder was performed. Six out of ten HP and four out of ten GP were rated as fit to drive by the driving instructor, despite their binocular visual field loss. Three out of 20 control subjects failed the on-road assessment. The extent of the visual field defect was of minor importance with regard to the driving performance. The site of the homonymous visual field defect (HVFD) critically interfered with the driving ability: all failed HP subjects suffered from left homonymous visual field loss (HL) due to right hemispheric lesions. Patients who failed the driving assessment had mainly difficulties with lane keeping and gap judgment ability. Patients who passed the test displayed different exploration patterns than those who failed. Patients who passed focused longer on the central area of the visual field than patients who failed the test. In addition, patients who passed the test performed more glances towards the area of their visual field defect. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis that the extent of visual field per se cannot predict driving fitness, because some patients with HVFDs and advanced glaucoma can compensate for their deficit by effective visual scanning. Head movements appeared to be superior to eye and shoulder movements in predicting the outcome of the driving test under the present study scenario.
Subtype-Specific Mechanisms for Functional Interaction between α6β4* Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and P2X Receptors

P2X receptors and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) display functional and physical interactions in many cell types and heterologous expression systems, but interactions between α6β4-containing (α6β4*) nAChRs and P2X2 receptors and/or P2X3 receptors have not been fully characterized. We measured several types of crosstalk in oocytes coexpressing α6β4 nAChRs and P2X2, P2X3, or P2X2/3 receptors. A novel form of crosstalk occurs between α6β4 nAChRs and P2X2 receptors. P2X2 receptors were forced into a prolonged desensitized state upon activation by ATP through a mechanism that does not depend on the intracellular C terminus of the P2X2 receptors. Coexpression of α6β4 nAChRs with P2X3 receptors shifts the ATP dose-response relation to the right, even in the absence of acetylcholine (ACh). Moreover, currents become nonadditive when ACh and ATP are coapplied, as previously reported for other Cys-loop receptors interacting with P2X receptors, and this crosstalk is dependent on the presence of the P2X3 C-terminal domain. P2X2 receptors also functionally interact with α6β4β3 but through a different mechanism from α6β4. The interaction with P2X3 receptors is less pronounced for the α6β4β3 nAChR than the α6β4 nAChR. We also measured a functional interaction between the α6β4 nAChRs and the heteromeric P2X2/3 receptor. Experiments with the nAChR channel blocker mecamylamine on P2X2–α6β4 oocytes point to the loss of P2X2 channel activity during the crosstalk, whereas the ion channel pores of the P2X receptors were fully functional and unaltered by the receptor interaction for P2X2–α6β4β3, P2X2/3–α6β4, and P2X2/3–α6β4β3. These results may be relevant to dorsal root ganglion cells and to other neurons that coexpress these receptor subunits.
Design of Energy- and Cost-Efficient Massive MIMO Arrays

Large arrays of radios have been exploited for beamforming and null steering in both radar and communication applications, but cost and form factor limitations have precluded their use in commercial systems. This paper discusses how to build arrays that enable multiuser massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) and aggressive spatial multiplexing with many users sharing the same spectrum. The focus of the paper is the energy- and cost-efficient realization of these arrays in order to enable new applications. Distributed algorithms for beamforming are proposed, and the optimum array size is considered as a function of the performance of the receiver, transmitter, frequency synthesizer, and signal distribution within the array. The effects of errors such as phase noise and synchronization skew across the array are analyzed. The paper discusses both RF frequencies below 10 GHz, where fully digital techniques are preferred, and operation at millimeter (mm)-wave bands where a combination of digital and analog techniques are needed to keep cost and power low.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics the Time-space Exchangeability of Satellite Retrieved Relations between Cloud Top Temperature and Particle Effective Radius

A 3-minute 3-km rapid scan of the METEOSAT Second Generation geostationary satellite over southern Africa was applied to tracking the evolution of cloud top temperature (T) and particle effective radius (r e) of convective elements. The evolution of T-r e relations showed little dependence on time, leaving r e to depend almost exclusively on T. Furthermore, cloud elements that fully grew to large cumulonimbus stature had the same T-r e relations as other clouds in the same area with limited development that decayed without ever becoming a cumulonimbus. Therefore, a snap shot of T-r e relations over a cloud field provides the same relations as composed from tracking the time evolution of T and r e of individual clouds, and then composit-ing them. This is the essence of exchangeability of time and space scales, i.e., ergodicity, of the T-r e relations for convec-tive clouds. This property has allowed inference of the mi-crophysical evolution of convective clouds with a snap shot from a polar orbiter. The fundamental causes for the ergodic-ity are suggested to be the observed stability of r e for a given height above cloud base in a convective cloud, and the constant renewal of growing cloud tops with cloud bubbles that replace the cloud tops with fresh cloud matter from below.