Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Importance of Psychological and Social Factors in Influencing the Uptake and Maintenance of Physical Activity after Stroke: A Structured Review of the Empirical Literature

Background. People with stroke are not maintaining adequate engagement in physical activity (PA) for health and functional benefit. This paper sought to describe any psychological and social factors that may influence physical activity engagement after stroke. Methods. A structured literature review of studies indexed in MEDLINE, CinAHL, P&BSC, and PsycINFO using search terms relevant to stroke, physical disabilities, and PA. Publications reporting empirical findings (quantitative or qualitative) regarding psychological and/or social factors were included. Results. Twenty studies from 19 publications (9 surveys, 1 RCT, and 10 qualitative studies) were included. Seventeen studies reported findings pertinent to psychological factors and fourteen findings pertinent to social factors. Conclusion. Self-efficacy, physical activity beliefs, and social support appear particularly relevant to physical activity behaviour after stroke and should be included in theoretically based physical interventions. The Transtheoretical Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour are candidate behavioural models that may support intervention development.
Light Echoes of Transients and Variables in the Local Universe

Abstract Astronomical light echoes, the time-dependent light scattered by dust in the vicinity of varying objects, have been recognized for over a century. Initially, their utility was thought to be confined to mapping out the three-dimensional distribution of interstellar dust. Recently, the discovery of spectroscopically useful light echoes around centuries-old supernovae in the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud has opened up new scientific opportunities to exploit light echoes. In this review, we describe the history of light echoes in the local Universe and cover the many new developments in both the observation of light echoes and the interpretation of the light scattered from them. Among other benefits, we highlight our new ability to classify outbursting objects spectroscopically, view them from multiple perspectives, obtain a spectroscopic time series of the outburst, and establish accurate distances to the source event. We also describe the broader range of variable objects with properties that may be better understood from light-echo observations. Finally, we discuss the prospects of new light-echo techniques not yet realized in practice.
Heparin modulates the organization of hydrated collagen gels and inhibits gel contraction by fibroblasts

We studied the effects of extracellular matrix components on fibroblast contraction of hydrated collagen gels. After 4-h incubations, heparin- containing collagen gels contracted only 10% compared with 50% contraction of control gels. Contraction was not affected by hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, or fibronectin, implying that the activity of heparin was specific. The possibility that heparin inhibited attachment of the cells to the gels was ruled out. Also, addition of heparin to the incubation medium had no effect on contraction. Microscopic examination showed that control collagen gels were composed of a uniform network of interlocking fibrils of similar sizes. Heparin- containing gels, on the other hand, were highly variable with some collagen bundles containing 5-6 collagen fibrils and other regions containing amorphous material. Unlike the control gels, the fibrils of heparin-containing gels were not continuously interconnected. Based on the results, we propose that fibroblasts attach normally to the collagen fibrils of heparin-containing gels and attempt to contract the gels, but the mechanical forces exerted by fibroblasts on individual collagen fibrils cannot be propagated throughout the gels.
Two-photon absorption for optical clock recovery in OTDM networks

The authors describe the design and performance of an ultrafast optical clock recovery system that is based on two-photon absorption (TPA) in a silicon avalanche photodiode. Unlike many other optical clock recovery techniques, the system is shown to be polarization insensitive, broadband, low jitter, and scalable to high data rates. Moreover, the system is simple, economical, and suitable for integration with silicon electronics. Successful operation of the system is reported for speeds up to 80 Gb/s and transmission distances up to 840 km using a recirculating loop. The authors introduce a new dithering detection scheme that dramatically improves the dynamic range and decreases polarization and wavelength dependence, without introducing an additional timing jitter. The system achieves a dynamic range of 10 dB and optical bandwidth exceeding 35 nm
Families of Periodic Orbits for the Spatial Isosceles 3-Body Problem

We study the families of periodic orbits of the spatial isosceles 3-body problem (for small enough values of the mass lying on the symmetry axis) coming via the analytic continuation method from periodic orbits of the circular Sitnikov problem. Using the first integral of the angular momentum, we reduce the dimension of the phase space of the problem by two units. Since periodic orbits of the reduced isosceles problem generate invariant two-dimensional tori of the nonreduced problem, the analytic continuation of periodic orbits of the (reduced) circular Sitnikov problem at this level becomes the continuation of invariant two-dimensional tori from the circular Sitnikov problem to the nonreduced isosceles problem, each one filled with periodic or quasi-periodic orbits. These tori are not KAM tori but just isotropic, since we are dealing with a three-degrees-of-freedom system. The continuation of periodic orbits is done in two different ways, the first going directly from the reduced circular Sitnikov problem to the reduced isosceles problem, and the second one using two steps: first we continue the periodic orbits from the reduced circular Sitnikov problem to the reduced elliptic Sitnikov problem, and then we continue those periodic orbits of the reduced elliptic Sitnikov problem to the reduced isosceles problem. The continuation in one or two steps produces different results. This work is merely analytic and uses the variational equations in order to apply Poincare's continuation method.
Computing affect in autonomous agents

In previous work we proposed that affect can be modeled in an autonomous agent. We report progress made since then-specifically, an improved understanding of the basis of our approach, a new version of the model used earlier, rationalized both in terms of the underlying neuroscience and the equations used to compute affect. We describe plans for future work to remove constants that we presently have hard coded into the model. We also report some of the difficulties we face: the need for a stronger empirical basis for the equations we use, and the difficulty in identifying success criteria.
More Than Virality: Online Sharing of Controversial News With Activated Audience

In contrast to earlier studies that focus on virality, we examine how individuals share controversial news online by accounting for audience features. The results from surveys of 400 individuals suggest that they are more likely to share highly controversial news (a) on open, asymmetrical social media or (b) with communication partners with a low frequency rather than a high frequency, but are more likely to share moderately controversial news (c) on closed, symmetrical social media. This study implies that interpersonal motives determine the online path of controversial news and that media environments play unique roles in moderating and spreading controversies in society.
The effects of superimposed tilt and lower body negative pressure on anterior and posterior cerebral circulations

Steady‐state tilt has no effect on cerebrovascular reactivity to increases in the partial pressure of end‐tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2). However, the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations may respond differently to a variety of stimuli that alter central blood volume, including lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Little is known about the superimposed effects of head‐up tilt (HUT; decreased central blood volume and intracranial pressure) and head‐down tilt (HDT; increased central blood volume and intracranial pressure), and LBNP on cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses. We hypothesized that (a) cerebral blood velocity (CBV; an index of CBF) responses during LBNP would not change with HUT and HDT, and (b) CBV in the anterior cerebral circulation would decrease to a greater extent compared to posterior CBV during LBNP when controlling PETCO2. In 13 male participants, we measured CBV in the anterior (middle cerebral artery, MCAv) and posterior (posterior cerebral artery, PCAv) cerebral circulations using transcranial Doppler ultrasound during LBNP stress (−50 mmHg) in three body positions (45°HUT, supine, 45°HDT). PETCO2 was measured continuously and maintained at constant levels during LBNP through coached breathing. Our main findings were that (a) steady‐state tilt had no effect on CBV responses during LBNP in both the MCA (P = 0.077) and PCA (P = 0.583), and (b) despite controlling for PETCO2, both the MCAv and PCAv decreased by the same magnitude during LBNP in HUT (P = 0.348), supine (P = 0.694), and HDT (P = 0.407). Here, we demonstrate that there are no differences in anterior and posterior circulations in response to LBNP in different body positions.
Evidence based practice: perspectives of Iranian urologists.

PURPOSE To determine the attitudes and beliefs of Iranian urologists toward Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and investigation of the barriers of evidence based practice (EBP). MATERIALS AND METHODS A self- administrated, Likert scale questionnaire designed in Persian and filled up by censuses selected urologist from Iranian Urology Association (IUA). Data were entered to Predictive Analytics Soft Ware version 18.0 and descriptive statistics were obtained for all parts of the questionnaire. RESULTS A total of 111 out of 500 Iranian urologists who attended in IUA annual meeting, responded to the questionnaires. Mean attitude score of respondents was 30.4 (SD: 5.7, range 16-40). Attitude score showed statistically significant association to previous participation in EBM workshops (P = .01). Of participants 96% believed EBP will improve patient care and 76.2% of them appreciated the impact of use of research utilization and application of evidence based guidelines on clinical decision making and the outcome of surgery. The main barriers to EBP stated as lack of time (64.8%), facilities (53.4%), and training in EBM (29.4%). CONCLUSION The urologists have positive attitudes towards EBP. However, regarding lack of time, pre-appraised databases or EBP guidelines can be helpful. Evidence based workshops and familiarity with evidence databases is recommended for Iranian urologists. In addition, health care system and policy makers could play a major role to provide a culture of EBP.
Institutional Reforms in European Labor Markets

Most of the recent literature on labor market institutions draws on reforms rather than on cross-country variation in regulatory levels. This is a significant improvement with respect to the earlier literature which was based on somewhat arbitrary one-dimensional indicators of multidimensional institutions. But this literature lacks guidance from a theory of institutional reforms, acknowledging the fact that regulatory changes often create longlasting asymmetries, multi-tier regimes. This chapter provides new evidence on reforms in Europe, where most of the regulatory change in the labor market area have been taking place in the last 20 years. In light of this evidence, it extends a model widely used in analysing the interactions between institutions and labor market flows. Finally, it critically surveys the empirical literature drawing on institutional reforms
Retry Loss Models Supporting Elastic Traffic

Abstract— We consider a single-link loss system of fixed capacity, which accommodates K service-classes of Poisson traffic with elastic bandwidth-per-call requirements. When a new call cannot be accepted in the system with its peak-bandwidth requirement, it can retry one or more times (single and multiretry loss model, respectively) to be connected in the system with reduced bandwidth requirement and increased service time, exponentially distributed. Furthermore, if its last bandwidth requirement is still higher than the available link bandwidth, it can be accepted in the system by compressing not only the bandwidth of all in-service calls (of all service-classes) but also its last bandwidth requirement. The proposed model does not have a product form solution and therefore we propose an approximate recursive formula for the calculation of the link occupancy distribution and consequently call blocking probabilities. The accuracy of the proposed formula is verified by simulation and is found to be quite satisfactory.
Performance of VIDISCA-454 in Feces-Suspensions and Serum

Virus discovery combining sequence unbiased amplification with next generation sequencing is now state-of-the-art. We have previously determined that the performance of the unbiased amplification technique which is operational at our institute, VIDISCA-454, is efficient when respiratory samples are used as input. The performance of the assay is, however, not known for other clinical materials like blood or stool samples. Here, we investigated the sensitivity of VIDISCA-454 with feces-suspensions and serum samples that are positive and that have been quantified for norovirus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1, respectively. The performance of VIDISCA-454 in serum samples was equal to its performance in respiratory material, with an estimated lower threshold of 1,000 viral genome copies. The estimated threshold in feces-suspension is around 200,000 viral genome copies. The decreased sensitivity in feces suspension is mainly due to sequences that share no recognizable identity with known sequences. Most likely these sequences originate from bacteria and phages which are not completely sequenced.
Counterfactual Reasoning: Sharpening Conceptual Distinctions in Developmental Studies

Counterfactual reasoning (CFR)—mentally representing what the world would be like now if things had been different in the past—is an important aspect of human cognition and the focus of research in areas such as philosophy, social psychology, and clinical psychology. More recently, it has also gained broad interest in cognitive developmental psychology, mainly focusing on the question of how this kind of reasoning can be characterized. Studies have been inconsistent in identifying when children can use CFR. In this article, we present theoretical positions that may account for this inconsistency and evaluate them in the light of research on counterfactual emotions.
Regional Income Fluctuations: Common Trends and Common Cycles

This paper investigates trend and cycle dynamics in per capita income for the major U.S. regions during the 19561995 period. Cointegration and serial correlation common features information are used in jointly decomposing the series into trend and cycle components. We find considerable differences in the volatility of regional cycles. Controlling for differences in volatility, we find a great deal of comovement in the cyclical response for all regions but the Far West. Possible sources underlying differences in regional cycles are explored, such as the share of a region's income accounted for by manufacturing, defense spending as a proportion of a region's income, oil price shocks, and the stance of monetary policy. Somewhat surprisingly, we find that the share of manufacturing in a region seems to account for little of the variation in regional cycles relative to national cycles, but manufacturing share differentially affects trend growth for four of the seven regions studied.
Unsupervised Adaptation Across Domain Shifts by Generating Intermediate Data Representations

With unconstrained data acquisition scenarios widely prevalent, the ability to handle changes in data distribution across training and testing data sets becomes important. One way to approach this problem is through domain adaptation, and in this paper we primarily focus on the unsupervised scenario where the labeled source domain training data is accompanied by unlabeled target domain test data. We present a two-stage data-driven approach by generating intermediate data representations that could provide relevant information on the domain shift. Starting with a linear representation of domains in the form of generative subspaces of same dimensions for the source and target domains, we first utilize the underlying geometry of the space of these subspaces, the Grassmann manifold, to obtain a `shortest' geodesic path between the two domains. We then sample points along the geodesic to obtain intermediate cross-domain data representations, using which a discriminative classifier is learnt to estimate the labels of the target data. We subsequently incorporate non-linear representation of domains by considering a Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space representation, and a low-dimensional manifold representation using Laplacian Eigenmaps, and also examine other domain adaptation settings such as (i) semi-supervised adaptation where the target domain is partially labeled, and (ii) multi-domain adaptation where there could be more than one domain in source and/or target data sets. Finally, we supplement our adaptation technique with (i) fine-grained reference domains that are created by blending samples from source and target data sets to provide some evidence on the actual domain shift, and (ii) a multi-class boosting analysis to obtain robustness to the choice of algorithm parameters. We evaluate our approach for object recognition problems and report competitive results on two widely used Office and Bing adaptation data sets.
On the frequency of intercourse around ovulation: evidence for biological influences.

BACKGROUND Intercourse in mammals is often coordinated with ovulation, for example through fluctuations in libido or by the acceleration of ovulation with intercourse. Such coordination has not been established in humans. We explored this possibility by examining patterns of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. METHODS Sixty-eight sexually active North Carolina women with either an intrauterine device or tubal ligation provided data for up to three menstrual cycles. These women collected daily urine specimens and kept daily diaries of intercourse and menstrual bleeding. Major estrogen and progesterone metabolites excreted in urine were used to identify the day of ovulation. The fertile days of the cycle were defined as the 6 consecutive days ending with ovulation. Women contributed a total of 171 ovulatory cycles. Menstrual bleeding days were excluded from analysis. RESULTS The frequency of intercourse rose during the follicular phase, peaking at ovulation and declining abruptly thereafter. The 6 consecutive days with most frequent intercourse corresponded with the 6 fertile days of the menstrual cycle. Intercourse was 24% more frequent during the 6 fertile days than during the remaining non-bleeding days (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS There apparently are biological factors that promote intercourse during a woman's 6 fertile days.
Children’s voices: what do young children say about museums in Hong Kong?

ABSTRACT Few studies of young children’s learning have been undertaken in the context of Asian museums. Museums are neither a popular part of social life for Hong Kong families nor a typical learning venue for kindergartens. This paper presents information about young children’s experiences of Hong Kong museums obtained through an exploratory study. Two groups of Hong Kong kindergarten children (aged four to six) made multiple visits to the same museum over the course of the school year. Children were interviewed after their visits about their feelings and experiences. A phenomenographic research framework was used to identify three conceptions of museums articulated by the children: (i) museums are spaces for objects; (ii) museums are venues for interaction; and (iii) museums are places that accommodate different people’s interests and needs. These children’s voices add to ongoing conversations about strengthening connections between museums and young children.
On the mass-to-light ratio of the local Galactic disc and the optical luminosity of the Galaxy

We measure the volume luminosity density and surface luminosity density generated by the Galactic disc, using accurate data on the local luminosity function and the vertical structure of the disc. From the well-measured volume mass density and surface mass density, we derive local volume and surface mass-to-light ratios (MIL) for the Galactic disc, in the bands B, V and I. We obtain M/L for the local column of stellar matter of (M/L) B = 1.4 ± 0.2, (M/L) V = 1.5 ± 0.2 and (M/L) l = 1.2 ± 0.2. The dominant contributors to the surface luminosity in these bands are main-sequence tumoff stars and giants. Our results on the colours and M/L for the 'solar cylinder' well agree with population synthesis predictions using initial mass functions typical of the solar neighbourhood. Finally, we infer the global luminosity of the Milky Way, which appears to be underluminous by about lσ with respect to the main locus of the Tully-Fisher relation, as observed for external galaxies.
Inflation as a probe of new physics

In this paper we consider inflation as a probe of new physics near the string or Planck scale. We discuss how new physics can be captured by the choice of vacuum, and how this leads to modifications of the primordial spectrum as well as the way in which the universe expands during inflation. Provided there is a large number of fields contributing to the vacuum energy—as typically is expected in string theory—we will argue that both types of effects can be present simultaneously and be of observational relevance. Our conclusion is that the ambiguity in choice of vacuum is an interesting new parameter in serious model building.
Familial correlates of US preschooler physical activity

ABSTRACT The preschool years set a precedent for lifelong habits integral to health. This research brief investigated how familial correlates within a household context, such as television use, BMI, and feeding practices, are related to child physical activity (CPA). Parents of preschoolers (N = 278, average age 40–76 months) completed survey measures of CPA, child and parent television use, BMI (height and weight), child control of feeding practices, and parental modeling of child feeding practices. From this sample, parents also had their preschoolers’ BMI percentiles calculated by a team of researchers, resulting in 247 complete parent-child pairs. Separate regression analyses revealed that child weekly television use and parent weekly television use predicted less CPA; however, when simultaneously controlling for child and parental correlates, only parent weekly television use predicted less CPA. Post-hoc analyses revealed an interaction between parent and child television use, such that parent-child pairs who reported higher weekly TV use reported less frequent CPA than parent-child pairs who reported lower weekly TV use. Across all regression models, child gender (i.e., female) also predicted less CPA. The discussion explores potential consequences of media familial correlates predicting CPA and parental strategies to encourage CPA.