Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Do We Look Like Me or Like Us? Visual Projection as Self- or Ingroup-Projection

People see their own group as more typical of a larger, superordinate category than they see other, included subgroups (ingroup-projection). This basic effect is not restricted to verbally encoded characteristics but also expands to the domain of what people think superordinate group members typically look like. Despite the robustness of the ingroup-projection phenomenon, it could be argued that it is a side effect of an even more basic process of seeing groups and individuals as similar primarily to the self (self-projection). In the present research, the authors sought to address and rule out this potential alternative explanation of visual ingroup-projection as an artifact of self-projection to the subgroup and the superordinate group. Thirty-one participants completed three two-image, forced-choice reverse correlation image classification tasks to create subjective, prototypical images, called classification images, of (a) themselves; (b) their national ingroup (German); and (c) the larger, superordin.
A 2.14GHz watt-level power amplifier with passive load modulation in a SOI CMOS technology

This paper presents the implementation and measurement results of a power amplifier with passive load modulation targeting Femtocell base station applications and integrated in SOI CMOS 130nm process. The proposed structure combines a SOI LDMOS power stage with a SOI CMOS Tunable Matching Network (TMN) based on high voltage switched capacitors in order to improve PA efficiency at back-off power. At 2.14GHz, the PA achieves 31.5dBm of measured peak power under 4V supply and compared to a conventional PA with fixed output matching network, the measured efficiency improvement is 60 % at 8.5 dB back-off.
On Precoder Design under Maximum-Likelihood Detection for Quasi-Stationary MIMO Channels

We consider the problem of constructing linear precoders for quasi-stationary multiple-input multiple-output channels. Maximum-likelihood detection is assumed and the objective of the precoding is to maximize the minimum Euclidean distance of the signaling. Since the channel remains constant for some time, the precoding is performed spatially as well as across time. As will be shown, the precoder design is tightly connected to the theory of partial response signaling and precoders can be designed by usage of existing methods. The decoding complexity will be controlled and can be maintained small.
On the Parameterized Complexity of Minimax Approval Voting

In this work, we initiate a detailed study of the parameterized complexity of Minimax Approval Voting. We demonstrate that the problem is W[2]-hard when parameterized by the size of the committee to be chosen, but does admit a FPT algorithm when parameterized by the number of strings that is more efficient than the previous ILP-based approaches for the problem. We also consider several combinations of parameters and provide a detailed landscape of the parameterized and kernelization complexity of the problem. We also study the version of the problem where we permit outliers, that is, where the chosen committee is required to satisfy a large number of voters (instead of all of them). In this context, we strengthen an APX-hardness result in the literature, and also show a simple but strong W-hardness result.
Dialogue control for task achievement based on evaluation of situational vagueness and stochastic representation of experiences

In this paper, we propose an approach where robots store shared experiences between human and the robots, and also show that the shared experiences act as an important role not only for the coexistence of the human and robots but also for the realization of the supporting ability of the robots. Enormous amount of shared experiences are effective for the understanding of users under uncertain and incomplete conditions, as well as communication among human. We propose the importance of the shared experiences for real world intelligence, and show a development research of the infrastructure for the storage of the share experiences and application method.
TNF superfamily receptor OX40 triggers invariant NKT cell pyroptosis and liver injury

Tissue-resident immune cells play a key role in local and systemic immune responses. The liver, in particular, hosts a large number of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, which are involved in diverse immune responses. However, the mechanisms that regulate survival and homeostasis of liver iNKT cells are poorly defined. Here we have found that liver iNKT cells constitutively express the costimulatory TNF superfamily receptor OX40 and that OX40 stimulation results in massive pyroptotic death of iNKT cells, characterized by the release of potent proinflammatory cytokines that induce liver injury. This OX40/NKT pyroptosis pathway also plays a key role in concanavalin A–induced murine hepatitis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that liver iNKT cells express high levels of caspase 1 and that OX40 stimulation activates caspase 1 via TNF receptor–associated factor 6–mediated recruitment of the paracaspase MALT1. We also found that activation of caspase 1 in iNKT cells results in processing of pro–IL-1&bgr; to mature IL-1&bgr; as well as cleavage of the pyroptotic protein gasdermin D, which generates a membrane pore–forming fragment to produce pyroptotic cell death. Thus, our study has identified OX40 as a death receptor for iNKT cells and uncovered a molecular mechanism of pyroptotic cell death. These findings may have important clinical implications in the development of OX40-directed therapies.
Thioridazine Induces Major Changes in Global Gene Expression and Cell Wall Composition in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300

Subinhibitory concentrations of the neuroleptic drug thioridazine (TDZ) are well-known to enhance the killing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by β-lactam antibiotics, however, the mechanism underlying the synergy between TDZ and β-lactams is not fully understood. In the present study, we have examined the effect of a subinhibitory concentration of TDZ on antimicrobial resistance, the global transcriptome, and the cell wall composition of MRSA USA300. We show that TDZ is able to sensitize the bacteria to several classes of antimicrobials targeting the late stages of peptidoglycan (PGN) synthesis. Furthermore, our microarray analysis demonstrates that TDZ modulates the expression of genes encoding membrane and surface proteins, transporters, and enzymes involved in amino acid biosynthesis. Interestingly, resemblance between the transcriptional profile of TDZ treatment and the transcriptomic response of S. aureus to known inhibitors of cell wall synthesis suggests that TDZ disturbs PGN biosynthesis at a stage that precedes transpeptidation by penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). In support of this notion, dramatic changes in the muropeptide profile of USA300 were observed following growth in the presence of TDZ, indicating that TDZ can interfere with the formation of the pentaglycine branches. Strikingly, the addition of glycine to the growth medium relieved the effect of TDZ on the muropeptide profile. Furthermore, exogenous glycine offered a modest protective effect against TDZ-induced β-lactam sensitivity. We propose that TDZ exposure leads to a shortage of intracellular amino acids, including glycine, which is required for the production of normal PGN precursors with pentaglycine branches, the correct substrate of S. aureus PBPs. Collectively, this work demonstrates that TDZ has a major impact on the cell wall biosynthesis pathway in S. aureus and provides new insights into how MRSA may be sensitized towards β-lactam antibiotics.
Visual state estimation of traffic lights using hidden Markov models

The comprehension of dynamic objects in the environment is a major concern of prospective assistance systems. Among the relevant dynamic objects are not only road users, but also parts of the traffic infrastructure: Traffic lights switch between different light colors to manage traffic at intersections. We propose a camera-based approach to incorporate the visual information of traffic lights. Assistance systems can use it to realize comfort, fuel economy and safety functions. We focus on the classification and state estimation using support vector machines and hidden Markov models. Our system is able to distinguish different types of traffic lights - even blinking lights - in real-time.
48-to-5/12 V dual output DC/DC converter for high efficiency and small form factor in electric bike applications

We propose a dual output dc/dc converter for high efficiency and small form factor in electric bike applications. To implement a converter with single input of 48 V and dual output of 5 V and 12 V, we propose the system architecture combined with a 48-to-12 V converter and a 12-to-5 V converter on single PCB. The input of the 12-to-5 V is connected to the output of the 48-to-12 V converter to obtain stable 5 V without regard to the battery voltage. For high efficiency, both converters use synchronous topologies. For small form factor, the switching frequencies of the converters are fixed to 300 kHz and 1 MHz, respectively. To minimize undesirable PCB noise, several resistors are added and signal paths are designed shortly. The proposed dual output converter was implemented to 45 mm × 42 mm size. When the input voltage of 48 V is supplied, the measure efficiency is 87.5 % under a full-load condition of 3.1 A at 5 V output and 2 A at 12 V output.
The prevalence of quadriceps weakness in COPD and the relationship with disease severity

Quadriceps strength relates to exercise capacity and prognosis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We wanted to quantify the prevalence of quadriceps weakness in COPD and hypothesised that it would not be restricted to patients with severe airflow obstruction or dyspnoea. Predicted quadriceps strength was calculated using a regression equation (incorporating age, sex, height and fat-free mass), based on measurements from 212 healthy subjects. The prevalence of weakness (defined as observed values 1.645 standardised residuals below predicted) was related to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage and Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnoea score in two cohorts of stable COPD outpatients recruited from the UK (n = 240) and the Netherlands (n = 351). 32% and 33% of UK and Dutch COPD patients had quadriceps weakness. A significant proportion of patients in GOLD stages 1 and 2, or with an MRC dyspnoea score of 1 or 2, had quadriceps weakness (28 and 26%, respectively). These values rose to 38% in GOLD stage 4, and 43% in patients with an MRC Score of 4 or 5. Quadriceps weakness was demonstrable in one-third of COPD patients attending hospital respiratory outpatient services. Quadriceps weakness exists in the absence of severe airflow obstruction or breathlessness.
Towards ECSSE : live Web of Data search and integration

We illustrate the works toward implementing an Entity Centric Semantic Search Engine (ECSSE). ECSSE leverages the Sindice Semantic Web Index to find and combine together semantically structured data published on the web. With respect to previous Semantic Web Data integrators, ECSSE, uses an holistic approach in which large scale semantic web indexing, logic reasoning, data aggregation heuristics, ad hoc ontology consolidation, external services and user interaction all play together to create rich entity descriptions and live, embeddable data mash ups.
DREADD-Induced Silencing of the Medial Olfactory Tubercle Disrupts the Preference of Female Mice for Opposite-Sex Chemosignals

Abstract Attraction to opposite-sex pheromones during rodent courtship involves a pathway that includes inputs to the medial amygdala (Me) from the main and accessory olfactory bulbs, and projections from the Me to nuclei in the medial hypothalamus that control reproduction. However, the consideration of circuitry that attributes hedonic properties to opposite-sex odors has been lacking. The medial olfactory tubercle (mOT) has been implicated in the reinforcing effects of natural stimuli and drugs of abuse. We performed a tract-tracing study wherein estrous female mice that had received injections of the retrograde tracer, cholera toxin B, into the mOT were exposed to volatile odors from soiled bedding. Both the anterior Me and ventral tegmental area sent direct projections to the mOT, of which a significant subset was selectively activated (expressed Fos protein) by testes-intact male (but not female) volatile odors from soiled bedding. Next, the inhibitory DREADD (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) receptor hM4Di was bilaterally expressed in the mOT of female mice. Urinary preferences were then assessed after intraperitoneal injection of either saline or clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), which binds to the hM4Di receptor to hyperpolarize infected neurons. After receiving CNO, estrous females lost their preference for male over female urinary odors, whereas the ability to discriminate these odors remained intact. Male odor preference returned after vehicle treatment in counterbalanced tests. There were no deficits in locomotor activity or preference for food odors when subject mice received CNO injections prior to testing. The mOT appears to be a critical segment in the pheromone–reward pathway of female mice.
Vicarious traumatisation of counsellors and effects on their workplaces

Abstract The literature on therapists' reactions to clients' traumatic material is Critically reviewed. The various attempts within this relatively new literature to conceptualise this phenomenon include countertransference, compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatisation. The limited research evidence is evaluated and found to support anecdotal accounts by trauma therapists. Empathic engagement with trauma survivors is necessary for effective psychotherapeutic intervention. However, empathic engagement also makes therapists vulnerable to the detrimental effects of vicarious trauma, with consequent negative effects on individual counsellor effectiveness and organisational dynamics in the workplace.
Computer-Based Assessment of Sports-Related Concussion

Sports-related concussion has received considerable attention from neuropsychologists, athletic trainers, team coaches, physicians, families, and athletes. In this context, researchers have recently developed computer programs for the assessment of sports-related concussion. Computer-based assessment of sports-related concussion saves time, allows for team baseline testing, and can be easily incorporated into the sports medicine environment. This article reviews the advantages and limitations of computer-based assessment of sports-related concussion. Within a well-coordinated concussion management program that includes input from a neuropsychologist, computer-based assessment of sports-related concussion will soon be the most common approach for assessing concussion in athletes.
Regret Aversion and Dynamic Choice

This research looks into the possibility of bringing together two distinct and empirically successful areas of behavioural economics; regret aversion and quasi-hyperbolic discounting. Standard regret aversion theory (Loomes and Sugden 1982, Bell 1982) operates in a world of uncertainty, where regret aversion arises due to the possibility of, having made an initial choice, a more preferable option arising when uncertainty is resolved. However, the common intuition in the literature behind the psychological notion of “regret” does not explicitly mention uncertainty. Merely,
Predicting Quantitative Traits With Regression Models for Dense Molecular Markers and Pedigree

The availability of genomewide dense markers brings opportunities and challenges to breeding programs. An important question concerns the ways in which dense markers and pedigrees, together with phenotypic records, should be used to arrive at predictions of genetic values for complex traits. If a large number of markers are included in a regression model, marker-specific shrinkage of regression coefficients may be needed. For this reason, the Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) (BL) appears to be an interesting approach for fitting marker effects in a regression model. This article adapts the BL to arrive at a regression model where markers, pedigrees, and covariates other than markers are considered jointly. Connections between BL and other marker-based regression models are discussed, and the sensitivity of BL with respect to the choice of prior distributions assigned to key parameters is evaluated using simulation. The proposed model was fitted to two data sets from wheat and mouse populations, and evaluated using cross-validation methods. Results indicate that inclusion of markers in the regression further improved the predictive ability of models. An R program that implements the proposed model is freely available.
Additional Perspectives on Simple Quantitative Gait Analysis

Stuberg, Straw, and Devine (1990) and then Hicik and Radil (1990) present some interesting idormation regarding several relatively simple alternatives for quantitative gait analysis. The purpose of this note is to provide additional perspectives on simple quantitative gait analysis, particularly as it relates to patients with hemiparetic stroke. For such patients the documentation of speed alone can be very useful. Speed is a sensitive and valid measure (Mizrahi, Susak, Heller, & Najenson, 1982; Wade, Wood, Heller, Maggs, & Hewer, 1987) that correlates significantly with other measures such as cadence, appearance, independence, and distance (Bohannon, 1987, 19891, is important in a community setting (Robinett & Vondran, 1988), and can be determined easily with a stopwatch as patients walk over a known distance. As stride length or cadence can be determinants of walking speed oE hemiparetic stroke patients (Nakamura, Handa, Watanabe, & Morohashi, 1988), theu measurement too can be important. A large proportion of such patients walk below the 40 m.min.-' velocity at which Stuberg, Straw, and Devine (1990) found length of step could be measured reliably by a single observer with a tape recorder. When the patient's speed precludes the accurate observation of foot placement on a grid, a second observer can be employed. In a clinical setting in which I once worked, I Found it almost impossible to use the observational grid method of Robinson and Smidt (1981) with patients who had had hemiparetic stroke (in spite of theu slow speed). However, by using a separate observer to record each (left or right) foot's placement on the grid, foot placement could be documented for the reliable measurement of stride length.
Conducting an Initial Session in Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples: Suggestions for Beginning EFT Therapists

ABSTRACT Emotion focused therapy for couples (EFT; Johnson, 2004) is an empirically supported model of couple therapy that is continuing to develop and mature. Excellent published resources exist for the therapist desiring to learn the EFT model yet sometimes uncertainty remains about exactly how to conduct an initial session. Questions also arise about how to integrate EFT-specific questioning with more general aspects of conducting a couple assessment. An outline of an initial session is offered that can be adapted depending on therapist preferences and client needs. Suggested elements include: joining/alliance building, eliciting presenting complaints, tracking the negative interactional cycle, obtaining relational and other history, asking about goals, assessing commitment, presenting a reframe, contracting for therapy, and assigning simple strategic “homework. ”
Elevated midpregnancy corticotropin-releasing hormone is associated with prenatal, but not postpartum, maternal depression.

CONTEXT Elevated hypothalamic CRH has been implicated in melancholic major depression in nonpregnant individuals, but the role of placental CRH in maternal prenatal and postpartum depression is largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the association of maternal midpregnancy plasma CRH levels with prenatal and postpartum depression. PARTICIPANTS The study included 800 participants in Project Viva, a pregnancy and childhood cohort. METHODS CRH levels were analyzed from blood samples obtained at mean 27.9 wk gestation (+/- 1.3 sd; range 24.6-37.4 wk) and were normalized on the logarithmic scale. Depression was assessed with the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (range 0-30 points) in midpregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds of scoring 13 or more points on the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale as indicative of major or minor depression. RESULTS Seventy (8.8%) and 46 (7.5%) women had prenatal and postpartum depression symptoms, respectively. Mean log CRH was 4.93 (+/- 0.62 sd). After adjusting for confounders, an sd increase in log CRH was associated with nearly 50% higher odds of prenatal depression symptoms (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval 1.14-1.93). Higher CRH levels during pregnancy were unassociated with greater risk of postpartum depressive symptoms. In fact, there was a suggestion that prenatal CRH levels might be inversely associated with risk of postpartum depressive symptoms (odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.58-1.15). CONCLUSIONS Elevated placental CRH levels in midpregnancy are positively associated with risk of prenatal depression symptoms but not postpartum depression symptoms.
Sleep Control Game for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), each node controls its sleep to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing message latency. In this paper we apply the game theory, which is a powerful tool that explains how each individual acts for his or her own economic benefit, to analyze the optimal sleep schedule for sensor nodes. We redefine this sleep control game as a modified version of the Prisoner’s Dilemma. In the sleep control game, each node decides whether or not it wakes up for the cycle. Payoff functions of the sleep control game consider the expected traffic volume, network conditions, and the expected packet delay. According to the payoff function, each node selects the best wake-up strategy that may minimize the energy consumption and maintain the latency performance. To investigate the performance of our algorithm, we apply the sleep control game to X-MAC, which is one of the recent WSN MAC protocols. Our detailed packet level simulations confirm that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the energy consumption by removing unnecessary wake-up operations without loss of the latency performance.
Asynchronous Forward Bounding for Distributed COPs

A new search algorithm for solving distributed constraint optimization problems (DisCOPs) is presented. Agents assign variables sequentially and compute bounds on partial assignments asynchronously. The asynchronous bounds computation is based on the propagation of partial assignments. The asynchronous forward-bounding algorithm (AFB) is a distributed optimization search algorithm that keeps one consistent partial assignment at all times. The algorithm is described in detail and its correctness proven. Experimental evaluation shows that AFB outperforms synchronous branch and bound by many orders of magnitude, and produces a phase transition as the tightness of the problem increases. This is an analogous effect to the phase transition that has been observed when local consistency maintenance is applied to MaxCSPs. The AFB algorithm is further enhanced by the addition of a backjumping mechanism, resulting in the AFB-BJ algorithm. Distributed backjumping is based on accumulated information on bounds of all values and on processing concurrently a queue of candidate goals for the next move back. The AFB-BJ algorithm is compared experimentally to other DisCOP algorithms (ADOPT, DPOP, OptAPO) and is shown to be a very efficient algorithm for DisCOPs.