Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling the General Dependency Between Directions of Arrival and Departure for an Indoor MIMO Channel

Precise modelling of the direction of arrival (DoA) and direction of departure (DoD) of multipath components (MFCs) in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel based on correlation properties and joint distributions have not been investigated properly. This paper examines the correlation between DoAs and DoDs, and presents a modelling approach particularly for the "general trend" of these dual-spatial domains, based on statistical results obtained from several indoor MIMO measurement campaigns. We show that the Laplacian distribution provides better fits for the directional parameters than the normal and Von Mises distributions. The "general trend" of DoA/DoD joint distribution and power density are modelled using a modified Gumbel's bivariate exponential approach. Results show that the proposed bivariate distribution provides a good match to the real data, and offers an alternative approach to generate realistic directional-based stochastic MIMO channel responses in different environments
CHROMOSOMEN NON EST OMEN—ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEUROBIOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

Abstract This paper will discuss the relationship between psychotherapy and modern trends in neurobiology. The first proposition deals with synergetics, a theory of the self-organization of complex systems that is a useful framework for both neurobiology and psychotherapy. Schiepek (1999) has outlined this model for the field of psychotherapy in detail. In neurobiology, as well, there is a growing shift toward the concept of self-organization. The second proposition rejects the idea that psychotherapy is applied neurobiology. Instead it proposes that psychotherapy fulfills a critical function considering the consequences modern neurobiology has for concepts of disease and health in society.
Virtual reality applications in mental health: Challenges and perspectives

Jul-Dec 2014 | Vol 23 | Issue 2 83 the virtual world in real time by tracking the user’s head movements so that the field of view would change appropriately as the user looked around. In addition, for the first time the user could manipulate virtual objects in a realistic way. The combined effect was the substitution of sensory data from the natural world with sensory data about an imaginary world. The sensorydata from the imaginary or virtual world changed in response to the user’s actions, resulting in a “sense of presence” in an interactive three‐dimensional virtual environment. [7]
Long-term catheterization of the bladder: prevalence and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and morbidity of long-term catheterization (LTC) of the urinary bladder. PATIENTS AND METHODS A postal survey was conducted over two successive years from February 1989 to determine the incidence of LTC in three Bristol Health Districts with a total population of 827,595. During the first year the number of patients requiring emergency treatment for complications of LTC was also monitored over a 6-month period. In the second year, 54 patients were selected from the first survey and each was visited by one investigator every 2 weeks for 12 weeks to obtain information on catheter management, the incidence and type of complications, the attitudes of the patients or carers about the catheter and to assess the pH and microbiology of the patient's urine. RESULTS The initial surveys identified 457 and 467 patients with long-term catheters during the 2 years, respectively; there were similar numbers of men and women in both years. The survey of catheter complications recorded 506 emergency referrals during the 6 months and the detailed study of 54 patients showed that 48% experienced catheter blockage, 37% reported urine by-passing the catheter and 30% noted haematuria. Patients found the catheter uncomfortable and depended on nursing support. Catheter blockage was associated with bladder stones, a high urinary pH and the presence of Proteus spp in the urine. CONCLUSION The prevalence and high morbidity of LTC cause a considerable demand on the available District and Hospital nursing services; most patients with long-term catheters are elderly, disabled or debilitated and more nurses need to be trained in the technique of catheterization and the management of the catheterized patient. Further research is required to reduce the morbidity of LTC by investigating measures to reduce catheter blockage and encrustation at the urine/biomaterial interface.
Adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured wild rodent in Korea

Adiaspiromycosis is caused by pulmonary infection with Emmonsia. Inhalated spores of Emmonsia cause asymptomatic infection to necrogranulomatous pneumonia, depending on the burden of adiaspore and host immunity. For disease monitoring of wild rodents captured on Jeju Island in Korea, we examined the lung tissue of wild rodents histopathologically. Spores composed of thick three-layered walls were found following histopathological examination and were diagnosed as adiaspiromycosis. Adiaspiromycosis has been found in mammals in many parts of the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report of adiaspiromycosis of an Apodemus agrarius captured in Korea.
Early-stage visual processing and cortical amplification deficits in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Patients with schizophrenia show deficits in early-stage visual processing, potentially reflecting dysfunction of the magnocellular visual pathway. The magnocellular system operates normally in a nonlinear amplification mode mediated by glutamatergic (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors. Investigating magnocellular dysfunction in schizophrenia therefore permits evaluation of underlying etiologic hypotheses. OBJECTIVES To evaluate magnocellular dysfunction in schizophrenia, relative to known neurochemical and neuroanatomical substrates, and to examine relationships between electrophysiological and behavioral measures of visual pathway dysfunction and relationships with higher cognitive deficits. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between-group study at an inpatient state psychiatric hospital and outpatient county psychiatric facilities. Thirty-three patients met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and 21 nonpsychiatric volunteers of similar ages composed the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES (1) Magnocellular and parvocellular evoked potentials, analyzed using nonlinear (Michaelis-Menten) and linear contrast gain approaches; (2) behavioral contrast sensitivity measures; (3) white matter integrity; (4) visual and nonvisual neuropsychological measures, and (5) clinical symptom and community functioning measures. RESULTS Patients generated evoked potentials that were significantly reduced in response to magnocellular-biased, but not parvocellular-biased, stimuli (P = .001). Michaelis-Menten analyses demonstrated reduced contrast gain of the magnocellular system (P = .001). Patients showed decreased contrast sensitivity to magnocellular-biased stimuli (P<.001). Evoked potential deficits were significantly related to decreased white matter integrity in the optic radiations (P<.03). Evoked potential deficits predicted impaired contrast sensitivity (P = .002), which was in turn related to deficits in complex visual processing (P< or =.04). Both evoked potential (P< or =.04) and contrast sensitivity (P = .01) measures significantly predicted community functioning. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm the existence of early-stage visual processing dysfunction in schizophrenia and provide the first evidence that such deficits are due to decreased nonlinear signal amplification, consistent with glutamatergic theories. Neuroimaging studies support the hypothesis of dysfunction within low-level visual pathways involving thalamocortical radiations. Deficits in early-stage visual processing significantly predict higher cognitive deficits.
Piggybacking Robots: Human-Robot Overtrust in University Dormitory Security

Can overtrust in robots compromise physical security? We positioned a robot outside a secure-access student dormitory and made it ask passersby for access. Individual participants were as likely to assist the robot in exiting the dormitory (40% assistance rate, 4/10 individuals) as in entering (19%, 3/16 individuals). Groups of people were more likely than individuals to assist the robot in entering (71%, 10/14 groups). When the robot was disguised as a food delivery agent for the fictional start-up Robot Grub, individuals were more likely to assist the robot in entering (76%, 16/21 individuals). Lastly, participants who identified the robot as a bomb threat demonstrated a trend toward assisting the robot (87%, 7/8 individuals, 6/7 groups). Thus, overtrust-the unfounded belief that the robot does not intend to deceive or carry risk-can represent a significant threat to physical security at a university dormitory.
Focusing on the time to be happy: Past, present and future focused happiness interventions

Drawing upon past positive-psychology literature and happiness increasing strategies, this study investigated the temporal orientation of three happiness increasing exercises; past, present and future-focused interventions, and the effects upon subjective happiness, gratitude and positive and negative affect. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to each of the week-long intervention conditions, with baseline and post intervention measures of well-being recorded. Irrespective of condition, significant increases in positive affect, subjective happiness and gratitude were observed, along with decreases in negative affect. The greatest increases in gratitude were observed for the past-focused, daily-blessings condition. Building upon previous literature, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of happiness increasing interventions and the benefits of implementing one small daily habit to increase overall well-being irrespective of temporal orientation of the exercise.
Wall climbing robot enabled by a novel and robust vibration suction technology

Vibration Suction Method (VSM) is a novel suction strategy for wall climbing robot. Regular vibration can improve the suction cup's adsorption capacity. Through the study of the first Vibration Suction Robotic Foot (VSRF I) the applicability of VSM was verified while the suction capability, safety, and wall adaptability of it was not well enough. Based on these, a new Vibration Suction Robotic Foot (VSRF II) was designed, fabricated and tested. Experiment results showed that the VSRF II performs better than the former design. A mini multi-joint wall climbing robot was designed and fabricated based on the VSRF II. Gait planning for three kinds of typical walking movements: walking in straight line, turning, and face-to-face transfer were made. The experiment results verified the feasibility of the robot and it can walk from the ground to the wall, crawl and turn on the wall and then walk from the wall to the ceiling.
Ethylene Antagonizes Salt-Induced Growth Retardation and Cell Death Process via Transcriptional Controlling of Ethylene-, BAG- and Senescence-Associated Genes in Arabidopsis

The existing question whether ethylene is involved in the modulation of salt-induced cell death to mediate plant salt tolerance is important for understanding the salt tolerance mechanisms. Here, we employed Arabidopsis plants to study the possible role of ethylene in salt-induced growth inhibition and programmed cell death (PCD) profiles. The root length, DNA ladder and cell death indicated by Evan's blue detection were measured by compared to the control or salt-stressed seedlings. Secondly, the protoplasts isolated from plant leaves and dyed with Annexin V-FITC were subjected to flow cytometric (FCM) assay. Our results showed that ethylene works effectively in seedling protoplasts, antagonizing salt-included root retardation and restraining cell death both in seedlings or protoplasts. Due to salinity, the entire or partial insensitivity of ethylene signaling resulted in an elevated levels of cell death in ein2-5 and ein3-1 plants and the event were amended in ctr1-1 plants after salt treatment. The subsequent experiment with exogenous ACC further corroborated that ethylene could modulate salt-induced PCD process actively. Plant Bcl-2-associated athanogene (BAG) family genes are recently identified to play an extensive role in plant PCD processes ranging from growth, development to stress responses and even cell death. Our result showed that salinity alone significantly suppressed the transcripts of BAG6, BAG7 and addition of ACC in the saline solution could obviously re-activate BAG6 and BAG7 expressions, which might play a key role to inhibit the salt-induced cell death. In summary, our research implies that ethylene and salinity antagonistically control BAG family-, ethylene-, and senescence-related genes to alleviate the salt-induced cell death.
Absent in melanoma 2 is required for innate immune recognition of Francisella tularensis

Macrophages respond to cytosolic nucleic acids by activating cysteine protease caspase-1 within a complex called the inflammasome. Subsequent cleavage and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 are critical for innate immunity. Here, we show that macrophages from mice lacking absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) cannot sense cytosolic double-stranded DNA and fail to trigger inflammasome assembly. Caspase-1 activation in response to intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis also required AIM2. Immunofluorescence microscopy of macrophages infected with F. tularensis revealed striking colocalization of bacterial DNA with endogenous AIM2 and inflammasome adaptor ASC. By contrast, type I IFN (IFN-α and -β) secretion in response to F. tularensis did not require AIM2. IFN-I did, however, boost AIM2-dependent caspase-1 activation by increasing AIM2 protein levels. Thus, inflammasome activation was reduced in infected macrophages lacking either the IFN-I receptor or stimulator of interferon genes (STING). Finally, AIM2-deficient mice displayed increased susceptibility to F. tularensis infection compared with wild-type mice. Their increased bacterial burden in vivo confirmed that AIM2 is essential for an effective innate immune response.
Membrane Mechanisms Underlying Contrast Adaptation in Cat Area 17In Vivo

Contrast adaptation is a psychophysical phenomenon, the neuronal bases of which reside largely in the primary visual cortex. The cellular mechanisms of contrast adaptation were investigated in the cat primary visual cortex in vivo through intracellular recording and current injections. Visual cortex cells, and to a much less extent, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) neurons, exhibited a reduction in firing rate during prolonged presentations of a high-contrast visual stimulus, a process we termed high-contrast adaptation. In a majority of cortical and dLGN cells, the period of adaptation to high contrast was followed by a prolonged (5–80 sec) period of reduced responsiveness to a low-contrast stimulus (postadaptation suppression), an effect that was associated, and positively correlated, with a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and an increase in apparent membrane conductance. In simple cells, the period of postadaptation suppression was not consistently associated with a decrease in the grating modulated component of the evoked synaptic barrages (the F1 component). The generation of the hyperpolarization appears to be at least partially intrinsic to the recorded cells, because the induction of neuronal activity with the intracellular injection of current resulted in both a hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and a decrease in the spike response to either current injections or visual stimuli. Conversely, high-contrast visual stimulation could suppress the response to low-intensity sinusoidal current injection. We conclude that control of the membrane potential by intrinsic neuronal mechanisms contributes importantly to the adaptation of neuronal responsiveness to varying levels of contrast. This feedback mechanism, internal to cortical neurons, provides them with the ability to continually adjust their responsiveness as a function of their history of synaptic and action potential activity.
National Immunization Information Hotline: Calls Concerning Adverse Events, 1998–2000

Data from the National Immunization Information Hotline(NIIH)concerning vaccine adverse event inquiries were analyzed from 1998 to 2000(totaln = 23,841[publicn = 14,330; health care professionalsn = 9,511]). Approximately 20%of calls from the public from 1998 to 2000 concerned vaccine adverse events. These calls increased 199.5%from 1998(n = 422)to 1999(n = 1,264), then declined 12.4%from 1999 to 2000(n = 1,107). A Lexus Nexus search showed that the number of news stories mentioning vaccine safety showed a similar pattern. Women were more likely to call the NIIH concerning vaccine adverse events than men, and persons 40–59 years old and persons 60 years old and over were less likely to call about vaccine adverse events than those 20–39 years. The parallel trends in news stories mentioning vaccine safety and calls to the NIIH concerning adverse events suggests that news stories may stimulate questions about vaccine safety. Understanding that news stories may elicit questions about vaccine adverse events and examining the characteristics of persons who ask vaccine adverse event questions may guide future informational interventions toward those most in need.
Supporting Immigrant Students in a Newcomer High School: A Case Study

Many school districts in the United States have developed special schools or programs designed to meet the specific language, academic, and social needs of recent immigrant students. In this article, we examine the experiences of six immigrant students who were enrolled in a U.S. high school designed specifically for adolescent immigrants. Using a qualitative case study research design, we explore the students' experiences in the school and their perceptions of the three teachers they identified as particularly supportive. We also draw on interviews and observations of these three teachers to explore the specific practices that supported the students' academic and social success in the school. The findings suggest that both school context and positive teacher–student interactions facilitated by the teachers' use of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices were significant contributors to students' learning. We discuss the study implications for practice and offer recommendations for educators working with immigrant students.
Update on current and emerging treatment options for post-polio syndrome

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) refers to the clinical deterioration experienced by many polio survivors several decades after their acute illness. The symptoms are new muscle weakness, decreased muscle endurance, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, cold intolerance, and this typical clinical entity is reported from different parts of the world. The pathophysiology behind PPS is not fully understood, but a combination of distal degeneration of enlarged motor units caused by increased metabolic demands and the normal aging process, in addition to inflammatory mechanisms, are thought to be involved. There is no diagnostic test for PPS, and the diagnosis is based on a proper clinical workup where all other possible explanations for the new symptoms are ruled out. The basic principle of management of PPS lies in physical activity, individually tailored training programs, and lifestyle modification. Muscle weakness and muscle pain may be helped with specific training programs, in which training in warm water seems to be particularly helpful. Properly fitted orthoses can improve the biomechanical movement pattern and be energy-saving. Fatigue can be relieved with lifestyle changes, assistive devices, and training programs. Respiratory insufficiency can be controlled with noninvasive respiratory aids including biphasic positive pressure ventilators. Pharmacologic agents like prednisone, amantadine, pyridostigmine, and coenzyme Q10 are of no benefit in PPS. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been tried in three studies, all having positive results. IVIG could probably be a therapeutic alternative, but the potential benefit is modest, and some important questions are still unanswered, in particular to which patients this treatment is useful, the dose, and the therapeutic interval.
‘Population profiling’ and public health risk: When and how should we use race/ethnicity?

The limited reliability of race/ethnicity and the sensitivity surrounding its use to stereotype, discriminate and rationalize difference suggest it should not be used in population profiling for public health risk. However, race/ethnicity is crucial for assessing the risk of discrimination along the lines of race/ethnicity, and it can be the best available proxy for important unmeasured variables. Nonetheless, generating any data disaggregated by race/ethnicity can fuel the use of biological reductionism or cultural essentialism to explain inequalities in health. To maximize the benefits and minimize the disadvantages of using race/ethnicity this commentary suggests that: (1) race/ethnicity should primarily be used to assess the risk and impact of discrimination; (2) race/ethnicity should only be used as a proxy for variables that cannot be measured and when it is the most reliable proxy available; and (3) the use of race/ethnicity may be desensitized by emphasizing how categorization and discrimination are ultimately responsible for the utility of race/ethnicity as a proxy for related variables. These suggestions accept that race/ethnicity will continue to be used in population profiling, but that its use could be refined and reframed. To this end, the commentary explores the dilemma faced by the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), which was criticized for using race/ethnicity to identify blood donors at increased risk of undetectable HIV infection. While race/ethnicity might not have been the only reliable proxy for undetectable HIV infection, its use might have been more palatable had the SANBS explained how the utility of race/ethnicity reflected the legacy of apartheid and its enduring impact on the differential spread of HIV.
EDFA transient reduction using power shaping

Many erbium doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) based multiwavelength optical networks employ techniques such as burst-switching or packet switching where the time interval between traffic blocks can be long enough to induce EDFA optical power transients. The optical power transients are created by abrupt changes in the average input power to the EDFAs and can adversely affect the performance of the network. To mitigate the effects of EDFA optical power transients on optical networks, a method based on power shaping where heads and tails are joined to the beginning and end of a traffic block is proposed. A head (tail) gradually increases (decreases) the channel power by employing a pseudo-random bit sequence in which the probability of a “1” (“0”) increases from 0 to 0.5. Theoretical and experimental results both show that EDFA optical power transients can be significantly reduced with adequate shaping periods. For a linear shaping profile, drop transient deviation was reduced by . 5dB while add transient deviation was reduced by . 71dB. Power shaping is an economical means of suppressing EDFA optical power transients compared to other physical layer approaches that require the addition of specialized components and can be applied to EDFAs as well as other solid-state and Raman optical amplifiers.