Communication Disturbance Research Articles

Kalman Filter Based Optimal Controllers in Free Space Optics Communication

There is no doubt that adaptive optics (AO) is the most promising method to compensate wavefront disturbance in free space optics communication (FSO). In order to improve the performance of the AO system described by discrete-time linear system model with time-delay and implicit phase turbulent model, new controllers based on a Kalman filter and its extensions are proposed. Based on the standard Kalman filter, we propose a fading memory filter to deal with the ruleless strong interference; sequential and U-D filters are applied to reduce implementation complexity for the embedded controllers. Theoretical analysis and the numerical simulations show that the proposed fading memory filter can upgrade the performance for AO systems in consideration of the unforeseen strong pulse interference, and the sequential and U-D filters perform well compared with a Kalman filter.

Backstepping approach to a class of hierarchical multi‐agent systems with communication disturbance

In this study, mathematical models of hierarchical multi-agent systems (HMSs) are first proposed to demonstrate the hierarchical structure of multi-agent systems. Communication disturbance is also considered in HMSs since disturbance often appears when information is transmitted among agents due to various uncertainties such as model unsteadiness and external noise. Radial basis function neural networks are applied to approximate the non-linear functions of the communication disturbance. Then, by applying a backstepping method based on the hierarchical structure of HMSs, a simple condition is derived to ensure the stability of HMSs with disturbance.

Harmonic Analysis of a Single Phase Modulated Inverter

<p>This paper portrays an approach of an analysis that provides information regarding the presence of harmonics at the inverter output terminal. It is certainly true that harmonics cause unbalance and excessive neutral currents, interference in nearby communication networks and disturbance to other consumers. More importantly, torque pulsations in electric motor drives are caused by them. Thus, the minimization of the harmonics contained in the output of a single phase current controlled inverter undergoing hysteresis modulation technique is important so as to get rid of these detrimental effects. A model of an LC low pass filter has been provided in this paper for harmonics reduction purpose, as it blocks the harmonics and passes approximately a sinusoidal output. Moreover, the paper contains the method of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) for fulfilling the desire of understanding not only the fundamental component but also the harmonics component flawlessly. It has been found from the simulation that the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in ideal case is 0%. On the other contrary, during the presence of harmonics, it steeps to 41.415% that can be mitigated to 0.0092% by implementing an LC low pass filter in a precise manner.</p>

Scientific Knowledge Mobilization: Co-evolution of Data Products and Designated Communities

Digital data are accumulating rapidly, yet issues relating to data production remain unexamined. Data sharing efforts in particular are nascent, disunited and incomplete. We investigate the development of data products tailored for diverse communities with differing knowledge bases. We explore not the technical aspects of how, why, or where data are made available, but rather the socio-scientific aspects influencing what data products are created and made available for use. These products differ from compact data summaries often published in journals. We report on development by a national data center of two data collections describing the changing polar environment. One collection characterizes sea ice products derived from satellite remote sensing data and development unfolds over three decades. The second collection characterizes the Greenland Ice Sheet melt where development of an initial collection of data products over a period of several months was informed by insights gained from earlier experience. In documenting the generation of these two collections, a data product development cycle supported by a data product team is identified as key to mobilizing scientific knowledge. The collections reveal a co-evolution of data products and designated communities where community interest may be triggered by events such as environmental disturbance and new modes of communication. These examples of data product development in practice illustrate knowledge mobilization in the earth sciences; the collections create a bridge between data producers and a growing number of audiences interested in making evidence-based decisions. Â

Pitfalls within the cancer-related doctor-patient communication

There is a "confusion of tongues" in the communication between patient and physician that hinders mutual understanding. Cancer - because of its malignant and often chronic nature - accentuates the communication problems and emphasizes the importance of human relationship. The confusion of tongues can only be resolved through understanding of the situation and motivations of the other person. Thus our aim is to help medical doctors to recognize and understand the most important communication characteristics of the doctor-patient interactions that are strained by the burden of cancer. Interviews with directly concerned professionals and non-professionals were recorded in order to reveal the most common communication disturbances. The majority of the "communication vacuum" arose when bad news should be disclosed for the patient, as bad news is bad for the physician as well. It is emotionally burdening to perceive bad news, and a big challenge for the physician to break it gently, to be tactful, while he/she has no possibility to pay attention with regard to his/her own emotional stability. Medical doctors can cope with this challenge if they are acquainted with the psychological difficulties of the patients that block the effective medical communication.

Communication within the health care team: doctors and nurses

Proper communication within the health care team is especially important in terms of creating safe emotional and professional conditions for the team members and for quality healing. The aim of the study is to explore the factors that hinder appropriate communication between doctors and nurses and thus to make the effective elimination of the communication disturbances possible. Investigation in main medical databases and general search engines were used for analysing the phenomenon. It was revealed that communication between doctors and nurses is restrained by factors that can be observed on individual, professional and system levels as well. Role confusion, lack of trust, communication barriers arising from hierarchical inequalities, leadership problems, differences in qualifications, burnout and organizational problems can equally be found amongst them. The effectiveness of communication between nurses and doctors in Hungary is especially strongly influenced by the fear of losing jobs, the financial problems arising from different degree of gratuity and the phenomenon of burnout. Changes on individual, professional and system levels are equally important for significant improvement in the communication between doctors and nurses. Joint trainings based on strong organizational development skills and joint conferences could promote significantly better flow of information, mutual appreciation and harmonization.

The relationship between language deficit, severity and structure of cognitive decline and BPSD in patients with dementia and MCI

IntroductionComprehensive language testing shows a strong relationship between overall severity of cognitive decline and language deficit. Moreover, the language performance can be affected also by neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.AimTo detect the language deficits in sentence comprehension in patients with MCI and dementia and to determine the relationship between them, the severity and the structure of cognitive impairment and independently between them and BPSD.MethodIn the sample of 46 cognitively declined patients (MCI and dementia, majority of them with Alzheimer's disease), we evaluated the severity and the structure of cognitive impairment by means of MoCA instrument, language deficits by our own sentence comprehension test and BPSD by means of NPI-Q.ResultsThe average performance in the sentence comprehension test was about 90% of normal in the group of MCI patients, about 75% in mild, about 60% in moderate and only about 20% in the group of severe dementias. According to individual cognitive domains, their impact on language performance was different. We found a strong correlation between the overall severity of BPSD and the language performance, too.ConclusionAt earlier stages of cognitive disorders/dementias, the language specific test should be used to discover comprehension deficits, because at the simple level of word the language skills are preserved. BPSD are also associated with language deficits even when the severity of dementia is controlled for. Identification of these communication disturbances can help to detect cognitive decline earlier and to start preserving treatment in time.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Caracterização de acidente vascular cerebral com enfoque em distúrbios da comunicação oral em pacientes de um hospital regional

RESUMO Objetivo Caracterizar pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral (AVC), verificar a prevalência de distúrbios de comunicação oral relacionados e a frequência de encaminhamento para reabilitação fonoaudiológica. Métodos Estudo retrospectivo dos prontuários de 95 pacientes internados por AVC, entre junho de 2007 e junho de 2008, em hospital público da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre. Resultados Dos 95 pacientes, 51 (53,7%) eram do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 59,8 anos; 48 (59,3%) apresentavam histórico de hipertensão arterial; 82 (86,3%) apresentaram AVC tipo isquêmico e 53 (55,8%), distúrbios de comunicação oral. O tempo médio de internação foi de cinco dias. Não houve relação significativa entre o tipo de AVC e distúrbio de comunicação oral, tampouco entre o local da lesão neurológica decorrente do AVC e a ocorrência de distúrbio de comunicação oral. Nenhum dos sujeitos recebeu indicação de avaliação ou tratamento fonoaudiológico durante a internação ou na alta. Conclusão Mais de 50% dos indivíduos acometidos por AVC apresentam distúrbios de comunicação oral durante o período de internação hospitalar. Não houve nenhuma indicação ou solicitação de atendimento fonoaudiológico neste período, tampouco em encaminhamento para atendimento após a alta hospitalar. Estes achados indicam provável falha da inserção fonoaudiológica em equipes que atendem pacientes acometidos por doenças neurológicas, sendo necessário avaliar mais profundamente se isto ocorre devido à ausência do fonoaudiólogo na equipe, ou ao pouco conhecimento dos profissionais sobre a atuação fonoaudiológica junto aos distúrbios de comunicação oral decorrentes de AVC.

Experimental validation of communication disturbance observer for networked control systems with information losses

Experimental validation of communication disturbance observer for networked control systems with information losses

Model-Error Feedback for Systems with Time-Varying Delay Based on Mixed <i>H</i><sub>2</sub>/<i>H</i><sub>∞</sub> Control

This paper proposes a method that uses model-error feedback to improve the steady-state performance of a communication disturbance observer (CDOB) and a controller design based on the stability theorem with a Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional. The conventional CDOB faces the problem of a steady-state error due to model error, and the stability of a system with time-varying delay is not guaranteed. To solve the issue, the controller based on the mixed H2/H∞ control problem is introduced. The paper presents a solution that uses a controller design based on the Lyapunov stability theorem and model error feedback.

Method of Time‐Delay Compensation in Multi‐Degree‐of‐Freedom Bilateral Control Systems with Different Configurations

SUMMARYIn this paper, a time‐delay compensation method based on a work space communication disturbance observer (WCDOB) is proposed. Time delay degrades the stability of a control system. A communication disturbance observer (CDOB) has been proposed to solve this problem. However, CDOB cannot compensate for time delay in multi‐degree‐of‐freedom bilateral control systems with different configurations, because the inertia of the robots is not fixed. In contrast, WCDOB can estimate the time delay based on work space information and compensate for them. The experimental results confirm the validity of the proposed method.

Impaired functional connectivity within and between frontostriatal circuits and its association with compulsive drug use and trait impulsivity in cocaine addiction.

Converging evidence has long identified both impulsivity and compulsivity as key psychological constructs in drug addiction. Although dysregulated striatal-cortical network interactions have been identified in cocaine addiction, the association between these brain networks and addiction is poorly understood. To test the hypothesis that cocaine addiction is associated with disturbances in striatal-cortical communication as captured by resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), measured from coherent spontaneous fluctuations in the blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging signal, and to explore the relationships between striatal rsFC, trait impulsivity, and uncontrolled drug use in cocaine addiction. A case-control, cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program outpatient magnetic resonance imaging facility. Data used in the present study were collected between December 8, 2005, and September 30, 2011. Participants included 56 non-treatment-seeking cocaine users (CUs) (52 with cocaine dependence and 3 with cocaine abuse) and 56 healthy individuals serving as controls (HCs) matched on age, sex, years of education, race, estimated intelligence, and smoking status. Voxelwise statistical parametric analysis testing the rsFC strength differences between CUs and HCs in brain regions functionally connected to 6 striatal subregions defined a priori. Increased rsFC strength was observed predominantly in striatal-frontal circuits; decreased rsFC was found between the striatum and cingulate, striatal, temporal, hippocampal/amygdalar, and insular regions in the CU group compared with the HCs. Increased striatal-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex connectivity strength was positively correlated with the amount of recent cocaine use (uncorrected P < .046) and elevated trait impulsivity in the CUs (uncorrected P < .012), and an index reflecting the balance between striatal-dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and striatal-anterior prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex circuits was significantly associated with loss of control over cocaine use (corrected P < .012). Cocaine addiction is associated with disturbed rsFC in several specific striatal-cortical circuits. Specifically, compulsive cocaine use, a defining characteristic of dependence, was associated with a balance of increased striatal-anterior prefrontal/orbitofrontal and decreased striatal-dorsal anterior cingulate connectivity; trait impulsivity, both a risk factor for and a consequence of cocaine use, was associated with increased dorsal striatal-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex connectivity uniquely in CUs. These findings provide new insights toward the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and suggest potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.

The intersubjectivity of delusions.

The intersubjectivity of delusions.

Raziskovanje čarovništva na terenu. Čarovništvo kot večplasten verovanjski sistem&lt;br&gt;Researching Witchcraft on the Field. Witchcraft as a Complex System of Belief&lt;/br&gt;

The article is based on fieldwork material on witchcraft that was collected in a rural part of western Slovenia between 2000 and 2002. The author tried to emphasize the complexity of withcraft as well as the fact that there are different categories of »witches« in this area. Emphasized is the need to consider all aspects of witchcraft. Equally necessary is that a researcher of this phenomenon be able to recognize numerous differences and nuances and that he or she considers the dynamics of their overlapping. The second part of the article focuses on posible disturbances in communication and on false interpretations that may be the result of ignoring different aspects and types of witchcraft and witches.

Patterns of depressive symptoms and social relating behaviors differ over time from other behavioral domains for young people with Down syndrome.

People with intellectual disabilities are at a higher risk for experiencing behavioral, emotional, and psychiatric problems in comparison with the general population. People with Down syndrome have been reported as experiencing fewer behavioral problems than others with intellectual disability, although still at a greater level than the non-intellectually disabled population, except for depression and Alzheimer disease. The aim of this study was to describe the trajectories of subscales of behavior, including depressive symptoms, communication disturbance, anxiety, disruptiveness, and social relating abilities, for young adults with Down syndrome.Families of young adults with Down syndrome living in Perth, Western Australia, participated in a questionnaire study over 8 years, 2004 (n = 255), 2009 (n = 191), and 2011 (n = 188). Questionnaires collected information about young person characteristics and family functioning. The parent-completed Developmental Behavior Checklist-Adult (DBC-A) and Developmental Behavior Checklist-Primary Carer Version (DBC-P) were used to measure emotional and behavioral problems. These measures include the following subscales: disruptive, communication and anxiety disturbances, self-absorbed, antisocial, depressive, and social relating.DBC score declined from 2004 to 2011 reflecting an improvement in behavior in the self-absorbed (coeff −0.011, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.031, −0.008), anxiety (coef −0.009 95%CI −0.129, −0.006), communication disturbances (coeff −0.008, 95% CI −0.012, −0.005) and disruptive/antisocial behavior (coeff −0.013, 95% CI −0.016, −0.009) subscales. Subscales for depressive symptoms and social relating problems decreased less (coeff −0.003, 95% CI −0.007, −0.0001) (coeff −0.003 95% CI −0.007, 0.001). Young people who were lower functioning were reported as exhibiting significantly more behavioral problems across every subscale when compared with those who were higher functioning.Behavior of young adults with Down syndrome improves over time but depressive symptoms and social relating behavior problems persist into adulthood. It is possible that those with persistent depressive symptoms are at a high risk for developing depressive illness in adulthood. Identifying young people with Down syndrome who are at risk for developing depression in adult life has implications for prevention and early treatment.

Tool Development for Human Audible Spectrum Compensation

Communication relies on good understanding. Humans relate to each other through visual, audible and tactile communication. It is imperative that the audible communication message reaches the receiver in good conditions, in order to keep a healthy, smooth and understandable speech. There are some disturbances in human speech and communication when hearing damage is present. Nowadays, hearing loss is a frequent injury, caused by noise pollution, daily stress or noisy workplaces. Yet, it can be treated by several ways. This project consists in developing a tool that captures the emitter's voice audible spectrum, filters the noise and other frequencies, and compensates the message, enabling the listener/receiver understanding. The purpose of this research is not aimed to substitute nor compete with hearing aids in the market, which are well-developed, certified and prescribed by Otorhinolaryngology clinicians. The focus of this study is to identify the issues of human hearing loss and to develop an algorithm for hearing compensation by using filtering techniques in a simulated environment applied to a hearing model.

Developmental Outcome of Children with Cerebral Palsy after Feeding and Seating Intervention

Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a diagnostic term used to describe a group of permanent disorders of movement &amp; posture causing activity limitation that are attributed to non progressive disturbances in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication and behavior as well as by epilepsy, secondary musculoskeletal problem and feeding difficulties. Aims: To see the development of a child with cerebral palsy after comprehensive feeding &amp; seating intervention. To recommend measure for reducing neurodevelopmental problems. To improve mother- child interaction. Methods: This hospital based prospective cross sectional observational study was done in Child Development Center (CDC) of the Department of Pediatrics, Chattagram Maa Shishu-O-Genaeral Hospital (CMSOGH), Chittagong from July 2013 to December 2013. Children with Cerebral palsy aged 1-15 years included in this study. Results: Most of the patients (60%) before intervention were having only liquid food. After intervention most of the patients were having either a combination of semi-solid and solid food (48%) or only semi-solid food (42%). After intervention 80% of patients were sitting during feeds which was only 12% before intervention. After intervention feeding time is reduced to 15 to 30 minutes which was 30 min to one hour. Most of the patients (90%) never ate by themselves before intervention, only 4% were selffed. After intervention 56% were self feeding for some part of the meal &amp; 24% were self feeding at every meal. Conclusion: Feeding problems in children with cerebral palsy are common. Simple home based measure, like feeding and seating intervention, should be carried out under the guidance of Child Development Center run by developmental therapist with assistance from pediatricians &amp; child psychologists in order to improve the development of the child with cerebral palsy as well as the quality of life.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cmoshmcj.v14i1.22872 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.14 (1); Jan 2015; Page 11-14

Evaluation of Sentence Comprehension in Dementia and Mci – Theoretical and Clinical Implications

Introduction Languageproduction and comprehension disorders are frequent in dementia. Language comprehensionat the single word level (i.e. in picture-word matching task) can be in mildly cognitively impaired patientspreserved, so clinically the language processes seem to be normal, but more comprehensivelanguage testing (i.e. at sentence level) can reveal substantial impairments even inpatients with mild dementia. Aim To detect the language deficits inpatients with MCI and dementia and to determine the relationship between thesedeficits and the severity of cognitive disturbances. Method In the sample of 72 cognitively declined patientsof Department of psychiatry of University Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia weevaluated severity of cognitive impairment by MMSE and MoCA instruments. Weused our own sentence comprehension test, designed for Slovak speakingindividuals. Results Normal performance in sentence comprehensiontest we registered in 5 from 7 patients with MCI, but only in 2 patients from29 with mild, 2 patients from 32 with moderate and no patient from 4 withsevere dementia. Conclusion Testing of language functions inpatients with dementia only at the single word level (what is typical inroutine clinical practice) doesn´t capture real communication disturbances. Atleast in patients with MCI and mild dementia is very useful to carry out moredetailed language testing (including items at sentence level), which can revealthe onset of language disturbances. Languagespecific test should be used to discover comprehension deficits at early stageof dementia.

Angielskie dublety leksykalne w polskiej prasie kobiecej – kilka uwag o ocenie innowacji językowych

Article attempts to assess lexical doublets occurring in Polish contemporary feminine press, through the prism of criteria of evaluation of linguistic innovations (criterion of sufficiency language, economy language and aesthetic). Analysis of these anglicisms allowed the statement that the majority of doublets is unnecessary vocabulary in Polish lexical resource. Expansive Americanization of Polish culture and Polish language, however, contribute to the increasing frequency of these doublets in press, though, given their frequent lack of clarity of meaning and communication disturbances, which are the cause, it is clear that the use of this type of language elements should be substantially limited.

Acute carbon monoxide poisoning and delayed neurological sequelae: a potential neuroprotection bundle therapy

Currently, there is no known optimal therapy for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and CO-associated delayed neurological sequelae. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a well-known treatment method, but its use for CO poisoning patients is controversial to use due to lack of evidences regarding its efficacy. Thus, it is unlikely that HBOT alone will be accepted as the standard treatment method. In this article, current and potential treatment methods of CO poisoning are presented as well as the tentative multi-factorial pathophysiology. A series of treatments are suggested for use as a bundle therapy, with targeted temperature management as the base treatment method. Such a therapy holds a great potential, especially for the cases where HBOT is not readily available. We suggest further investigations for elucidating the effects of these suggested treatments and their roles in terms of the complex pathophysiology of CO poisoning. Future acceptance of this therapy based on the improved scientific and clinical knowledge may result in injury prevention and minimization of the signs and the symptoms in CO poisoning.