Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Worldwide prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported from many countries in the world, and prominent geographical differences among regions are well known: over 100 per 100 000 in European and North American populations vs 0–20 per 100 000 in Asian populations. These differences suggest that genetic factors are important in the development of MS. Moreover, it is also known that higher latitude is associated with higher prevalence of MS. The latitude gradient for MS risk is thought to be related to low sun exposure, possibly because this is associated with low serum levels of vitamin D, which has an immunomodulatory effect. In contrast, data on the prevalence of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and its wider disease spectrum, …
FMRI study of young adults with autism interacting with a humanoid robot

The belief that artificial agents are useful interaction partners in cognitive therapies of social disorders such as autism fuels an increasing number of research projects involving the developments of robots and computer avatars. Yet, for an appropriate use of these new tools, it is necessary to understand how perception of and interaction with artificial agents differ from natural agents, both in normally developed adults and in patients with disorders of social cognition. Here we investigated the neural bases of social interactions with a human or with a humanoid robot using fMRI. During interaction, participants were playing a computerized version of the game chifumi (stone-paper-scissors), while believing they were interacting `live' either with a fellow human (Intentional agent, Int), a humanoid robot endowed with an artificial intelligence (Artificial agent, Art), or a random number generator running on a laptop (Rnd). The belief was built both with an extensive briefing before the actual experiment, including a live interaction with the human and humanoid robot opponents, and with videos of the opponent, presented as live but actually recorded prior to the experiment, that preceded and followed each series of 5 games played against one opponent in a block. Results indicate that the brain network found when interacting with an active opponent (Art & Int vs Rnd) was more activated when interacting with the human than with the robot agent, implying that interacting with a human is more engaging than interacting with an artificial agent. Areas involved in social interactions in the posterior temporal sulcus were activated when controls, but not high-functioning autistic patients patients, interacted with a fellow human.
Distributional Learning of Lexical Tones: A Comparison of Attended vs. Unattended Listening

This study examines whether non-tone language listeners can acquire lexical tone categories distributionally and whether attention in the training phase modulates the effect of distributional learning. Native Australian English listeners were trained on a Thai lexical tone minimal pair and their performance was assessed using a discrimination task before and after training. During Training, participants either heard a Unimodal distribution that would induce a single central category, which should hinder their discrimination of that minimal pair, or a Bimodal distribution that would induce two separate categories that should facilitate their discrimination. The participants either heard the distribution passively (Experiments 1A and 1B) or performed a cover task during training designed to encourage auditory attention to the entire distribution (Experiment 2). In passive listening (Experiments 1A and 1B), results indicated no effect of distributional learning: the Bimodal group did not outperform the Unimodal group in discriminating the Thai tone minimal pairs. Moreover, both Unimodal and Bimodal groups improved above chance on most test aspects from Pretest to Posttest. However, when participants’ auditory attention was encouraged using the cover task (Experiment 2), distributional learning was found: the Bimodal group outperformed the Unimodal group on a novel test syllable minimal pair at Posttest relative to at Pretest. Furthermore, the Bimodal group showed above-chance improvement from Pretest to Posttest on three test aspects, while the Unimodal group only showed above-chance improvement on one test aspect. These results suggest that non-tone language listeners are able to learn lexical tones distributionally but only when auditory attention is encouraged in the acquisition phase. This implies that distributional learning of lexical tones is more readily induced when participants attend carefully during training, presumably because they are better able to compute the relevant statistics of the distribution.
Psychological distress: concept analysis.

BACKGROUND The term 'distress' is frequently used in nursing literature to describe patient discomfort related to signs and symptoms of acute or chronic illness, pre- or post-treatment anxiety or compromised status of fetuses or the respiratory system. 'Psychological distress' may more accurately describe the patient condition to which nurses respond than does the term 'distress'. Psychological distress is seldom defined as a distinct concept and is often embedded in the context of strain, stress and distress. This creates confusion for nurses attempting to manage the care of people experiencing psychological distress. AIMS This paper is a concept analysis of psychological distress based on Walker and Avant's (1995) criteria that identifies the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of psychological distress based upon the findings of the literature review. In addition, empirical references are identified and constructed cases presented. METHODS A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, Ovid, PsychINFO, and Cancer Lit databases over the last 50 years. The purposes of this concept analysis were: (1) to establish the concept of psychological distress as a clear and distinct concept, separate from strain, stress and distress, and (2) to provide nurses with a base of knowledge from which to plan effective clinical interventions. FINDINGS Content analysis of the literature revealed that, although used frequently in health care literature, the origin of the concept of psychological distress has not been clearly articulated and is ill-defined. CONCLUSIONS Psychological distress is a serious problem faced by many of the people whom nurses encounter on a daily basis. An understanding of the concept of psychological distress will help nurses ameliorate this problem in patients. Nursing research related to the exploration of psychological distress is also needed.
Multi-scale image analysis for detection of characteristic component figure shapes and sizes

A method which detects the characteristic shapes and sizes of image structures is proposed. The method first blurs an image by Gaussian filters with various scales. Then, at every scale, principal curvatures of the image gray-level profile are calculated for every position. As the scale changes, the principal curvatures change. We detect the inherent shapes and sizes of the image structures by characterizing the type of the change of the principal curvatures. For the detection, we introduce the idea of principal curvature plane spanned by the two principal curvatures as its Cartesian coordinates.
USING FLUID STRUCTURE INTERACTION TECHNIQUE TO INVESTIGATE THE EFFECT OF VIBRATION ON BILEAFLET MECHANICAL HEART VALVE DEFORMATION

Fluid-Structure Intraction computer simulation technique is used to study effect of vibration due to blood flow on bileaflet mechanical heart valves structure including the deflection connection in the pin of the valve. This technique is used is to predict the deformation of the bileaflet mechanical heart valve structure, which occurs due to the heart beats. Five heartbeat models were used in this study which is 80, 90, 100, 110, and 120 BPM at variable leaflet angles of 25o, 63o and 85o. To determine the deformation, the equivalent (von-Mises) stress at the connection pin of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve were calculated and compared with the equivalent (von-Mises) stress of the connection pin in the literature. It was found when the heartbeat increased from 80 BPM to 120 BPM, 62 % increase in von-Mises stress values were recorded at the valve connection pin at a fully closed angle of 25°. The increase in heartbeat periodically for the lifetime may weaken the valve’s connecting pin and housing, which may cause damage to the bileaflet mechanical heart valve components.
TERRITÓRIOS DO CONHECIMENTO, ECONOMIA DIGITAL E POLÍTICAS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO: O SISTEMA DE INCENTIVOS À ECONOMIA DIGITAL (SIED)

RESUMO A emergencia de territorios inteligentes advem da redefinicao de novas politicas de desenvolvimento que promovem o conhecimento, a aprendizagem e a sociedade do conhecimento. Deste modo, torna-se importante aferir de que forma a economia digital podera contribuir para a criacao de territorios do conhecimento. Assim, no caso portugues e pensando as politicas economicas e de conhecimento direccionadas a inovacao e as empresas, e central que se analise o Sistema de Incentivos a Economia Digital – SIED. Deste modo, face as mudancas actuais e a presenca de um novo quadro de financiamento europeu, e fundamental perceber o aproveitamento destas politicas e das potencialidades territoriais de modo tornar a actuacao dos diferentes agentes mais adaptada as reais prioridades dos territorios. A presente avaliacao da traducao espacial e do aproveitamento do SIED tera como objectivo a “medicao” dos potenciais digitais dos territorios e a sua correlacao com o contexto territorial das cidades e regioes. 1 INTRODUCAO A actualidade e marcada por inumeras mudancas socio-economicas pautadas por novas relacoes entre individuos e agentes de desenvolvimento. A emergencia de uma forma de fazer economia voltada para os recursos digitais (principalmente a Internet) faz com as novas tecnologias de informacao e comunicacao e os recursos humanos tenham um papel central na relacao entre informacao, tecnologia e conhecimento, bem como nos processos de aprendizagem que capacitam os diferentes territorios. As cidades passam a ser vistas como meios inteligentes por excelencia e contribuem para o aparecimento de “novas geografias” e novas relacoes economicas, sociais, culturais e tecnologicas. Com efeito, as novas tecnologias de informacao e comunicacao sao um dos elementos centrais para o aumento da conectividade entre territorios, para o surgimento de novas redes entre agentes do conhecimento e para a diminuicao das distâncias e barreiras espaciais (Serrano, Goncalves e Neto, 2005). Tendo em conta estas alteracoes que coabitam com a crescente importância da nova economia digital, comeca a emergir um novo conceito de territorio do conhecimento e de novas competencias ligadas as cidades e regioes. Neste quadro, e premente que se pensem, avaliem e redefinam as diferentes politicas para o sistema de conhecimento portugues, isto e, no controle dos diferentes processos e na regulacao dos elementos dos sistemas, no que se refere as areas da inovacao, tecnologia e tambem no que concerne as politicas urbanas, industriais e regionais. A prossecucao destas politicas, numa perspectiva territorial, tem que ser adaptada as caracteristicas e contextos dos diferentes espacos de modo que estes sejam valorizados na optica dos seus agentes de conhecimento e desenvolvimento e tendo em conta as suas debilidades e potencialidades, bem como num sentido de transversalidade
Recent Advances in Second Generation Ethanol Production by Thermophilic Bacteria

There is an increased interest in using thermophilic bacteria for the production of bioethanol from complex lignocellulosic biomass due to their higher operating temperatures and broad substrate range. This review focuses upon the main genera of thermophilic anaerobes known to produce ethanol, their physiology, and the relevance of various environmental factors on ethanol yields including the partial pressure of hydrogen, ethanol tolerance, pH and substrate inhibition. Additionally, recent development in evolutionary adaptation and genetic engineering of thermophilic bacteria is highlighted. Recent developments in advanced process techniques used for ethanol production are reviewed with an emphasis on the advantages of using thermophilic bacteria in process strategies including separate saccharification and fermentation, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and consolidated bioprocessing (CBP).
Proportional Fairness in Multi-Channel Multi-Rate Wireless Networks-Part I: The Case of Deterministic Channels with Application to AP Association Problem in Large-Scale WLAN

This is Part I of a two-part paper series that studies the use of the proportional fairness (PF) utility function as the basis for resource allocation and scheduling in multichannel multi-rate wireless networks. The contributions of Part I are threefold. (i) We present the fundamental properties and physical/economic interpretation of PF optimality. We show that PF leads to equal airtime allocation to users for the singlechannel case; and equal equivalent airtime allocation to users for the multi-channel case. In addition, we also establish the Pareto efficiency of joint-channel PF optimal solution (the formulation of interest to us in this paper), and its superiority over the individual-channel PF optimal solution in that the individual user throughputs of the former are all equal to or greater than the corresponding user throughputs of the latter. (ii) Second, we derive characteristics of joint-channel PF optimal solutions useful for the construction of PF-optimization algorithms. In particular, we show that a PF solution typically consists of many zero airtime assignments when the difference between the number of users U and the number of channels S, |U - S|, is large. We present several PF-optimization algorithms, including a fast algorithm that is amenable to parallel implementation. (iii) Third, we study the use of PF utility for resource allocation in large-scale WiFi networks consisting of many adjacent wireless LANs. We find that the PF solution simultaneously achieves higher system throughput, better fairness, and lower outage probability with respect to the default solution given by today's 802.11 commercial products. Part II of this paper series extends our investigation to the time-varying-channel case in which the data rates enjoyed by users over the channels vary dynamically over time.
"It's about the information stupid!": why we need a separate field of human-information interaction

The past few years have seen increasing discussion of the need for, even the inevitability of, a field of human-information interaction (HII) - as either a major sub-branch of human-computer interaction (HCI) or as a separate field altogether. The "I" in HII implies a focus on information and not computing technology. But what does this mean? Is there any way to focus on information without also considering the supporting tools, applications, and gadgets that are enabled by computing technology? The panel will explore both the pros and cons in favor of a separate field of HII. Panelists provide a diversity of perspectives from several disciplines and research traditions including cognitive modeling and the study of human cognition, information science, information architecture, personal information management, ethnography and anthropology.
The Mini Alcohol Craving Experience Questionnaire: Development and Clinical Application

BACKGROUND Standardized alcohol craving scales are rarely used outside of research environments despite recognized clinical utility. Scale length is a key barrier to more widespread application. A brief measure of alcohol craving is needed to improve research and treatment of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Grounded in the Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire, the Alcohol Craving Experience (ACE) Questionnaire comprises two 11-item self-report scales that assess past-week frequency and maximum strength of alcohol craving. This study aimed to create a brief version of the ACE while maintaining psychometric integrity and clinical utility. METHODS Patients attending a university hospital alcohol and drug outpatient service for the treatment of AUD completed the ACE as part of a questionnaire battery. Three patient samples were utilized: 519 patients with pretreatment and outcome data, 228 patients with pretreatment data, and 66 patients who completed the ACE at treatment sessions 1 and 2. RESULTS The Frequency scale of the ACE possessed greater clinical utility and predictive validity than the Strength scale. Revision of the Frequency measure produced a 5-item "Mini Alcohol Craving Experience" (MACE) Questionnaire. Satisfactory validity (construct, predictive, concurrent, convergent, and incremental) and reliability (internal and test-retest) were maintained. A 1 standard deviation increase in pretreatment MACE score was associated with a 54 percentage increase in the odds of patient lapse or dropout. CONCLUSIONS The MACE provides a brief, theoretically, and psychometrically robust measure of alcohol craving suitable for use with AUD populations in time-limited clinical and research settings.
A health workforce classification framework for decision support in employment relations

This research was motivated by a desire to move decision making about health workforce planning from an anecdotal basis to a more evidence-based process. The principal outcome of this study is a framework for the classification and prioritization of health workforces within the New Zealand health sector. The framework was developed and validated using the Delphi Method, a decision-making methodology that uses the expert opinion of healthcare professionals. Findings suggest that five key factors - service need, public profile, supply factors, operational flexibility, and operational capacity - are central to a prioritization framework.
Interferon-λ cures persistent murine norovirus infection in the absence of adaptive immunity

Turning viral persistence on and off Norovirus causes >90% of the world's gastroenteritis. Norovirus can establish persistent infections, which may contribute to its spread. How does norovirus establish itself as a permanentw resident of the gut and how can such persistent infections be cured (see the Perspective by Wilks and Golovkina)? Baldridge et al. studied mice persistently infected with norovirus and found that viral persistence required the gut microbiota: resident bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics prevented persistent mouse norovirus infection in a way that depended on the secreted antiviral protein interferon λ (IFN-λ). Nice et al. report that IFN-λ can cure mice persistently infected with norovirus, independent of the adaptive immune system. Science, this issue p. 266, p. 269; see also p. 233 The antiviral cytokine interferon-λ cures persistent norovirus infection in mice. [Also see Perspective by Wilks and Golovkina] Norovirus gastroenteritis is a major public health burden worldwide. Although fecal shedding is important for transmission of enteric viruses, little is known about the immune factors that restrict persistent enteric infection. We report here that although the cytokines interferon-α (IFN-α) and IFN-β prevented the systemic spread of murine norovirus (MNoV), only IFN-λ controlled persistent enteric infection. Infection-dependent induction of IFN-λ was governed by the MNoV capsid protein and correlated with diminished enteric persistence. Treatment of established infection with IFN-λ cured mice in a manner requiring nonhematopoietic cell expression of the IFN-λ receptor, Ifnlr1, and independent of adaptive immunity. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of IFN-λ for curing virus infections in the gastrointestinal tract.
Design, Development and Use of Decision Support Systems in the Study of Economic Disciplines in Higher Education

Research goals and objectives: to describe the experience of the design, development and use of decision support syste ms (DSS) in the study of economic disciplines in higher education. Subject of research: design, development and use of decision support s ystems in the study of economic disciplines in higher educ ation. Research methods used: comparative analysis, business analytics, de ign of software module, interactive decision making, analy tical methods. Results of the research: The quality of a decision depends on the input in formation and a set of relevant economic indicators. Dec ision making support systems with calculation algorithms containing endogen ous economic indicators, as well as the precedent knowledge base are designe d to facilitate selection of alternatives in decision making using exogenous par ameters. Automation of economic indicators’ calculations has a didactic pu rpose for students of economic specialties. The DSS developed will facilitat e decision-making in semistructured and unstructured situations at micro and macro levels.
State of the art in ultra-wideband antennas

Ultra wide-band (UWB) technology is one of the most promising solutions for future communication systems due to its high-speed data rate and excellent immunity to multipath interference. In this context, the UWB antenna design plays a unique role because it behaves like a band pass filter and reshapes the spectra of the pulses, so it should be designed to avoid undesired distortions; some of the critical requirements in UWB antenna design are: ultra wide bandwidth, directional or omni-directional radiation patterns, constant gain and group delay over the entire band, high radiation efficiency and low profile. This work reviews the state of the art in UWB antennas, where planar monopole antennas show a special interest because they exhibit excellent performance in matching impedance bandwidth as well as pattern. Some experimental and simulation results on a proposed UWB antenna are also given.
The Evolutionary Theories of Aging Revisited – A Mini-Review

This short review portrays the evolutionary theories of aging in the light of the existing discoveries from genomic and molecular genetic studies on aging and longevity. At the outset, an historical background for the development of the evolutionary theories of aging is presented through the works of August Weismann (programmed death and the germ plasm theories) including his exceptional theoretical postulation, later experimentally validated by the existence of cell division limits. Afterwards, the theory of mutation accumulation of Peter Medawar and the theory modification by Charlesworth (late-life mortality plateau) are presented as well as the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis of George Williams, and the disposable soma theory of Kirkwood and Holliday. These theories are discussed in the light of the different research studies, which include studies on insulin signaling and longevity, the possibility that nuclear factor kappa B may be a major mediator of aging, studies of anti-aging Sirtuins and studies on heat shock proteins and longevity and on gene sets as biomarkers of aging. Finally, the proposals for future research in biogerontology, such as studies on the control of protein synthesis, validation of biomarkers of aging, understanding the biochemistry of longevity and research in the field of gerontologic pathology are presented. Likewise, further attention is suggested regarding the work on telomere shortening, stem cells and studies on understanding the biochemical and molecular basis for longevity in centenarians.