Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural reward responsiveness in children who engage in nonsuicidal self‐injury: an ERP study

BACKGROUND A better understanding of the correlates of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in children is important for the identification and prevention of future suicide risk. However, although abnormalities in reward responsiveness might constitute one potential transdiagnostic mechanism of risk for NSSI, no studies have examined initial response to reward in children with a history of NSSI. The goal of the present study was to address this important gap in the literature. To objectively assess initial response to reward, we utilized the feedback negativity (FN) event-related potential, a well-established psychophysiological marker of reward responsiveness. METHODS Participants were 57 children (19 with a history of NSSI and 38 demographically matched controls) between the ages of 7 and 11. Diagnostic interviews were used to assess for current and past DSM-IV mood and anxiety diagnoses and NSSI history. Children also completed a guessing task, during which continuous electroencephalography was recorded. RESULTS Children with a history of NSSI exhibited significantly more negative ΔFN (i.e., FN to losses minus FN to gains) than children without NSSI. These findings appeared to be at least partially independent of children's history of psychopathology and current symptoms, suggesting their specificity to NSSI. CONCLUSIONS These results provide initial evidence for heightened neural initial reward responsiveness to losses versus rewards in children with a history of NSSI. Pending replications and longitudinal studies, the ΔFN might represent a psychophysiological marker of risk for self-harm.
Face localization and authentication using color and depth images

This work presents a complete face authentication system integrating both two-dimensional (color or intensity) and three-dimensional (3-D) range data, based on a low-cost 3-D sensor, capable of real-time acquisition of 3-D and color images. Novel algorithms are proposed that exploit depth information to achieve robust face detection and localization under conditions of background clutter, occlusion, face pose alteration, and harsh illumination. The well-known embedded hidden Markov model technique for face authentication is applied to depth maps and color images. To cope with pose and illumination variations, the enrichment of face databases with synthetically generated views is proposed. The performance of the proposed authentication scheme is tested thoroughly on two distinct face databases of significant size. Experimental results demonstrate significant gains resulting from the combined use of depth and color or intensity information.
3D reconstruction of particle agglomerates using multiple scanning electron microscope stereo-pair images

Scanning electron microscopes (SEM) allow a detailed surface analysis of a wide variety of specimen. However, SEM image data does not provide depth information about a captured scene. This limitation can be overcome by recovering the hidden third dimension of the acquired SEM micrographs, for instance to fully characterize a particle agglomerate’s morphology. In this paper, we present a method that allows the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of investigated particle agglomerates using an uncalibrated stereo vision approach that is applied to multiple stereo-pair images. The reconstruction scheme starts with a feature detection and subsequent matching in each pair of stereo images. Based on these correspondences, a robust estimate of the epipolar geometry is determined. A following rectification allows a reduction of the dense correspondence problem to a one-dimensional search along conjugate epipolar lines. So the disparity maps can be obtained using a dense stereo matching algorithm. To remove outliers while preserving edges and individual structures, a disparity refinement is executed using suitable image filtering techniques. The investigated specimen’s qualitative depth’s information can be directly calculated from the determined disparity maps. In a final step the resulting point clouds are registered. State-of-the-art algorithms for 3D reconstruction of SEM micrographs mainly focus on structures whose image pairs contain hardly or even none-occluded areas. The acquisition of multiple stereo-pair images from different perspectives makes it possible to combine the obtained point clouds in order to overcome occurring occlusions. The presented approach thereby enables the 3D illustration of the investigated particle agglomerates.
Gender differences in stressors and reactions to stressors among Jordanian university students

Background: Stress among university students has been a topic of interest for researchers and teachers for many years because it affects not only their academic performance but also their physiological and psychological health. Male and female students perceive and react to stressors differently due to their differences in appraising stressful situations. Aims: The aims of this study were to examine differences in the perception of stressors and reactions to stressors between male and female Jordanian university students, and to identify the best predictors of stressors among them. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. The Student-Life Stress Inventory was used to measure stressors and reactions to stressors of 465 male and 485 female Jordanian university students recruited through stratified random sampling. Results: There were statistical differences between male and female students regarding their perception and reactions to stressors. Female students reported a higher perception of stressors in frustrations, conflict, pressures and changes, as well as emotional reactions to stressors. Male students reported higher behavioural and cognitive reactions to stressors than female students. Participation in stress workshops, perception of general health, and perception of stress level in general were found to predict stressors among male students, while mother’s educational level, perception of general health, and perception of stress level in general were found to predict stressors among female students. Conclusions: This study showed that gender differences in perception of stressors and reactions to stressors are similar to previous studies conducted all over the world. Interventions can be developed to help students better cope with stress. Conducting specific stress-training programmes for male and female students will help in reducing stress levels.
A year of excellence in geriatric research and some new dishes on the menu.

In October, when I contemplated writing about the future of the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, my first thought was that 2006 had been a pretty good year. However, when I actually looked at the list of the more than 100 published articles and at those yet to be published, I was struck by the excellence of the contributions that made it onto last year’s list.
Speech analysis with the fast chirp transform

The Chirp transform is a powerful analysis tool for variable frequency signals such as speech. The computational load represents the main limitation of its original formulation, discouraging its use in real-time applications. This paper analyzes a fast implementation, based on performing time-warping on the signal under analysis, combined with the Fast Fourier Transform. The performance of the Fast Chirp transform depends on the one hand on the estimation of the time-warping operation based on the signal characteristics, and, on the other hand on the interpolation technique used for the warping. Observations from the analysis of speech signals support the method and the further lines.
Kindlin-1 Regulates Astrocyte Activation and Pain Sensitivity in Rats With Neuropathic Pain

Background and Objectives Astrocyte activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain, but the involvement of kindlin-1 in astrocyte activation and neuropathic pain has not yet been illustrated. Using a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model of neuropathic pain, we investigated the expression levels of kindlin-1 during neuropathic pain and the influences of kindlin-1 on regulating pain sensitivity. Methods Neuropathic pain was induced in rats by CCI of the sciatic nerve. Rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham operation, CCI, CCI + kindlin-1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and CCI + kindlin-1 groups. Animals in the CCI + kindling-1 shRNA and CCI + kindlin-1 groups were given kindlin-1 shRNA or kindlin-1 virus infection to reduce or overexpress kindlin-1, respectively. Kindlin-1 expression was persistently increased in rats 10 days after CCI. A large proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)–positive astrocytes expressed kindlin-1 in spinal cord tissues of rats after CCI. Results Compared with the sham operation group, CCI animals exhibited increased GFAP expression and GFAP-positive astrocytes in the spinal cord. Down-regulation of kindlin-1 reduced the up-regulation of GFAP in the spinal cord, whereas overexpression of kindlin-1 promoted elevation of GFAP levels. Kindlin-1 silencing elevated the mechanical and thermal pain thresholds of CCI rats (P < 0.05). However, overexpression of kindlin-1 aggravated CCI-induced pain sensitivity. Conclusions Kindlin-1 may regulate pain sensitivity by affecting activated astrocytes in the spinal cord. Inhibition of kindlin-1 may provide a novel paradigm for the management of neuropathic pain.
Open-end multilevel six-phase machine drive system with three three-leg NPC converters

In this paper, a new multilevel six-phase machine drive system topology is proposed and investigated. The topology is composed of three three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverters with isolated DC-links feeding the open-end windings (OEW) of a six-phase induction motor (SPIM). The model of the system, operating principles, a space vector pulse width modulation (SV-PWM) strategy, investigation of the harmonic distortion and the common-mode voltage (CMV) generated are presented. The SV-PWM strategy, implemented by means of equivalent level-shifted PWM (LS-PWM), is based on the analysis of three similar individual plans. The used technique allows the generation of multilevel voltage waveforms with reduced switching stress, which is suitable for high power applications which present voltage and current ratings restrictions. The performance of the system is compared with two standard configurations. It has demonstrated some advantages such as: (i) reduced number of isolated DC-link capacitor banks, (ii) lower harmonic distortion of the machine currents, (iii) higher quantity of voltage levels. The feasibilty of the system is demonstrated by simulation and experimental results.
Enhancement of Damage Detectability in Aircraft Structures Using the Fusion of NDT Results

Abstract Following the damage tolerance philosophy in aircraft design and operation, one of the most significant stages of maintenance is non-destructive testing of structures. It is, therefore, essential to use testing methods sensitive to particular damage types occurring in aircraft structures during operation. In this paper, the authors present a study on selection and comparison of methods of information fusion applied to testing the results of inspection of composite structures used in aircraft elements, obtained using various ultrasonic methods. The presented approach of fusion of ultrasonic scans allows for enhancement of damage detection and identification due to the presence of different parts of information about detected damage obtained from different initial information sources in a single resulting set. Such an approach can be helpful at the decision-making stage during inspection of aircraft elements and structures. Besides the methodology, the GUI-based software for performing fusion of various types of ultrasonic data is presented.
Efective Occupational Health Care

Efective occupational health care at the workplace requires collaboration, partnerships and alliances with internal, interface and external stakeholders. Essential steps for solid work with various stakeholders are identiication of key stakeholders, systematic analysis of their views and positions, and development of stakeholder participation and involvement. Stakeholder analysis aims to evaluate and understand stakeholders from the perspective of an organization. Stakeholder analysis starts with identifying and classifying the key stakeholders. After their identiication, questions are asked about their position, interest, inluence, inter-relations, networks and other characteristics of stakeholders, with reference to their past and present positions, and future potential. The results are presented as stakeholder maps as well as by the power-interest matrix of the stakeholders. Stakeholder analysis serves an organization and its various actors as a guideline in identifying, planning and implementing strategies for managing stakeholder relationships and utilizing the full potential of various stakeholders in developing occupational health care.
Precise and Heritable Genome Editing in Evolutionarily Diverse Nematodes Using TALENs and CRISPR/Cas9 to Engineer Insertions and Deletions

Exploitation of custom-designed nucleases to induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) at genomic locations of choice has transformed our ability to edit genomes, regardless of their complexity. DSBs can trigger either error-prone repair pathways that induce random mutations at the break sites or precise homology-directed repair pathways that generate specific insertions or deletions guided by exogenously supplied DNA. Prior editing strategies using site-specific nucleases to modify the Caenorhabditis elegans genome achieved only the heritable disruption of endogenous loci through random mutagenesis by error-prone repair. Here we report highly effective strategies using TALE nucleases and RNA-guided CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases to induce error-prone repair and homology-directed repair to create heritable, precise insertion, deletion, or substitution of specific DNA sequences at targeted endogenous loci. Our robust strategies are effective across nematode species diverged by 300 million years, including necromenic nematodes (Pristionchus pacificus), male/female species (Caenorhabditis species 9), and hermaphroditic species (C. elegans). Thus, genome-editing tools now exist to transform nonmodel nematode species into genetically tractable model organisms. We demonstrate the utility of our broadly applicable genome-editing strategies by creating reagents generally useful to the nematode community and reagents specifically designed to explore the mechanism and evolution of X chromosome dosage compensation. By developing an efficient pipeline involving germline injection of nuclease mRNAs and single-stranded DNA templates, we engineered precise, heritable nucleotide changes both close to and far from DSBs to gain or lose genetic function, to tag proteins made from endogenous genes, and to excise entire loci through targeted FLP-FRT recombination.
Device-Free WiFi Human Sensing: From Pattern-Based to Model-Based Approaches

Recently, device-free WiFi CSI-based human behavior recognition has attracted a great amount of interest as it promises to provide a ubiquitous sensing solution by using the pervasive WiFi infrastructure. While most existing solutions are pattern-based, applying machine learning techniques, there is a recent trend of developing accurate models to reveal the underlining radio propagation properties and exploit models for fine-grained human behavior recognition. In this article, we first classify the existing work into two categories: pattern-based and model-based recognition solutions. Then we review and examine the two approaches together with their enabled applications. Finally, we show the favorable properties of model-based approaches by comparing them using human respiration detection as a case study, and argue that our proposed Fresnel zone model could be a generic one with great potential for device-free human sensing using fine-grained WiFi CSI.
Predictors of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage (PCD) after Abdominal Paracentesis Drainage (APD) in Patients with Moderately Severe or Severe Acute Pancreatitis along with Fluid Collections

Aims Although we previously demonstrated abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) preceding percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) as the central step for treating patients with moderately severe (MSAP) or severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), the predictors leading to PCD after APD have not been studied. Methods Consecutive patients with MSAP or SAP were recruited between June 2011 and June 2013. As a step-up approach, all patients initially received medical management, later underwent ultrasound-guided APD before PCD, if necessary, followed by endoscopic necrosectomy through the path formed by PCD. APD primarily targeted fluid in the abdominal or pelvic cavities, whereas PCD aimed at (peri)pancreatic fluid. Results Of the 92 enrolled patients, 40 were managed with APD alone and 52 received PCD after APD (14 required necrosectomy after initial PCD). The overall mortality was 6.5%. Univariate analysis showed that among the 20 selected parameters, 13 factors significantly affected PCD intervention after APD. Multivariate analysis revealed that infected (peri)pancreatic collections (P = -0.001), maximum extent of necrosis of more than 30% of the pancreas (P = -0.024), size of the largest necrotic peri(pancreatic) collection (P = -0.007), and reduction of (peri)pancreatic fluid collections by <50% after APD (P = -0.008) were all independent predictors of PCD. Conclusions Infected (peri)pancreatic collections, a largest necrotic peri(pancreatic) collection of more than 100 ml, and reduction of (peri)pancreatic fluid collections by <50% after APD could effectively predict the need for PCD in the early course of the disease.
Time-period mortality patterns in a Gaseous Diffusion Plant workforce.

BACKGROUND We sub-divided a cohort of 6820 workers at the Paducah (KY) Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) which was traced from 1953 to 2003. The subdivisions were made to assess the mortality risks in a sub-group of workers employed solely during the plant's refit period, a time of suspected higher exposure to metal dusts (nickel, arsenic, chromium and uranium) and trichloroethylene. METHODS This article describes a comparison of exposures and causes of death for 754 workers employed exclusively during the period of 1975-1979, with 1554 workers who worked in this period as well as other years. This interval was when the gaseous diffusion cascade facilities were re-fit. The workers employed 'only' during this period have a variety of deterministic factors (age-at-hire, duration of employment) that distinguish this sub-group of employees from the 'long-term' workforce. RESULTS The 'only 1975-1979' workers had a larger fraction of minorities and female workers. This 'only' sub-group was disproportionately employed in unskilled labor positions. The 'only' workers were younger than the referent group, and a 14-year earlier mean age at death. The all-cause mortality standardized rate ratio [SRR] was 1.58 [95% Cl: 0.97-2.42]. The 'only' group was significantly different from the 'ever' workers with respect to suicides, SRR = 3.74 [95% Cl: 1.86-6.69], and for homicides, SRR = 11.71 [95% Cl: 3.20-30.03]. CONCLUSIONS These elevated mortality risks do not seem to be due to PGDP employment exposures to metal dusts or trichloroethylene. Socio-economic factors may be a determinant for the patterns of suicides and murders described for this sub-group of employees. These findings provide guidance for communities with a dominant local employer. Persons who experience short-term hiring may warrant public health services to mitigate their risk of tragic deaths. A case-control study of these deaths is recommended to clarify individual risk behaviors.
Structural and Functional Changes of Hippocampus in Long Life Experienced Taxi Driver

Purpose : The objective of this study was to investigate the differences of hippocampal volume and shape as well as the functional change between long life experienced taxi drivers and controls of Korean population. Materials and Methods: Three-dimensional T1-weighted images and blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI(fMRI) were obtained from 8 subjects, consisting of 4 experienced (20-30 years) taxi drivers and 4 age-matched controls. The hippocampal volume and shape were analyzed with three-dimensional T1-weighted images. In addition, neuronal activities of brain were analyzed using a blood oxygen level dependent fMRI between the two groups. Results: The hippocampal volume showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). The left hippocampi of the taxi drivers were slightly elongated with larger head and tail portions than those of the controls (p
Rain pollination provides reproductive assurance in a deceptive orchid.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Abiotic pollination by wind or water is well established in flowering plants. In some species pollination by rain splashes, a condition known as ombrophily, has been proposed as a floral strategy. However, evidence for this type of abiotic pollination has remained controversial and many reported cases have subsequently been shown to be false. This study investigates ombrophily in the deceptive orchid Acampe rigida to determine the mechanism by which this species is able to maintain high fecundity, despite flowering during the rainy season in south-west China when pollinators are scarce. METHODS The floral mechanisms promoting rain pollination in A. rigida were observed and described in detail. Controlled pollination experiments and observations of floral visitors were conducted. A field experiment using rain shelters at 14 sites in Guangxi, south-west China, evaluated the contribution of rain pollination to fruit-set. KEY RESULTS During rainfall, raindrops physically flicked away the anther cap exposing the pollinarium. Raindrops then caused pollinia to be ejected upwards with the strap-like stipe pulling them back and causing them to fall into the stigmatic cavity, resulting in self-pollination. Neither flower nor pollen function were damaged by water. Although A. rigida is self-compatible, it is incapable of autonomous self-pollination without the assistance of rain splashes. The results of the rain-sheltering experiment indicated that rain pollination contributed substantially to increasing fruit-set, although there was variation among sites in the intensity of this effect. CONCLUSIONS A. rigida flowers during the rainy season, when pollinators are scarce, and ombrophily functions to provide reproductive assurance without compromising opportunities for outcrossing.