Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Community dwelling person’s perspective on functioning after stroke

Stroke is the second most common cause of death worldwide and the most common cause of long-term disability in adults. Disability following stroke results from the interaction between persons with impairments and environmental barriers that hinder full participation in society. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is intended to standardize the assessment of functioning of individuals in everyday life. To facilitate the use of the ICF in clinical practice purpose specific category-lists as Comprehensive ICF Core Sets for stroke were developed. The overall aim of this research project was to explore if the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Stroke could serve as a basis for understanding the person with previous stroke perspective on functioning problems in daily activities. The face validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke was explored in study I and II by individual interviews in two different environments (in Sweden and in Finland). In study III the construct validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke was explored by the distribution of patient-reported item scores from the Stoke Impact Scale with respect to the ICF category scores linked to SIS items assessed by health-professionals. In study IV the influence of personal factors (PF) age, gender, place of residence and time since onset of stroke on self-perceived functioning was explored using the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke as a framework. A total of 357 community-dwelling persons (45 % women) with previous stroke participated in studies I to IV. The face validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke was largely confirmed in study I and II. The construct validity of most of the ICF categories linked to SIS items was supported by the findings. The health professionals did not capture the magnitude of patient-reported emotional or social participation problems among the participants in study III. The selected personal factors had statistically significant predictive values for almost all the categories, domains and components of functioning and environmental factors examined. Conclusion: The results support the assumption that the categories included in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke represent the typical spectrum of functioning problems among people with previous stroke. In conclusion, the use of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for stroke can provide a wider perspective of and a systematic coding system for understanding the needs of persons with previous stroke and has the potential to be used in the development of measures used in the assessment of stroke related functioning problems and stroke rehabilitation ultimately leading to better person centred care and outcomes.
An investigation of the distribution of Candida species in genitourinary candidiasis and pelvic inflammatory disease from three locations in Ghana

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of various Candida species in cases of genitourinary candidiasis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in Ghana. To achieve this, Candida isolates were recovered from high vaginal swabs of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), urine samples from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and endocervical swabs from patients with PID, from three teaching hospitals in Ghana. The hospitals were located at Korle Bu, Komfo Anokye and Tamale. These isolates were identified to the species level on the basis of the color of the colonies that they formed on chromogenic medium. Candida albicans was the most common species in high vaginal swabs from patients present for the first time with VVC in each of the three locations, and was present in 53.4% of the total swabs. The other species that were present were Candida glabrata (21.6%), Candida parapsilosis (15.5%), Candida tropicalis (4.7%) and Candida krusei (4.7%). Only single species were found in these swabs. In patients with VVC for at least the third time, Chi square analysis indicated that the frequency of each of these species were not statistically different from those present for the first time, although 15% of the swabs from these patients contained more than one species. For all patients with VVC, no significant differences were observed in the frequencies of the species between the three locations. Similar distributions were found in swabs taken from patients with PID. Across the three locations however, there was a significant difference in the frequency of C. albicans, which was present in 68 and 69.6% of patients from Komfo Anokye and Tamale, but only 26.7% of patients from Korle Bu. Twenty one percent of swabs from patients with PID contained more than one species. Urine samples were also collected from two of the locations, Korle Bu and Tamale, in female patients with candiduria. In Korle Bu, C. glabrata was the most prominent species (37.8%) followed by C. albicans (22.4%), C. parapsilosis (21.7%), C. tropicalis (10.5%), C. krusei (7%) and Candida lusitaniae (0.7%). In Tamale, the species distribution was C. albicans (60.9%), C. glabrata (21.7%), C. parapsilosis (13%) and C. krusei (4.3%). Statistical analysis indicated a significant difference in the frequency of C. albicans between the two locations. Fourteen percent of the urine samples contained more than one species. Taken as a whole, these data highlight a relatively high prevalence of species other than C. albicans, in cases of genitourinary candidiasis and PID in Ghana. This is consistent with a trend towards the emergence of other Candida species that may be more resistant to the first line antifungal treatments. Key words: Genitourinary candidiasis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Ghana.
How to Measure a Growth Mindset:  

A person’s mindset, or implicit theory of intelligence, has been linked to many factors such as academic achievement, resiliency, and well-being. However, researchers have questioned the definitional clarity of the mindset construct and recent meta-analyses have reported confusing findings, such as interventions only having an effect on academic achievement if manipulation checks fail. This poses concerns about the psychometric properties of current methods, and in addition, there is no published Norwegian scale for assessing a person’s mindset. In order to resolve this, the present study asked Norwegian students (n = 544) to answer an online questionnaire consisting of the 6-item Implicit Theory of Intelligence Scale (ITIS), a novel Norwegian mindset scale (NGMM), and self-reported grade averages (GPA). We used Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Item Response Theory to assess psychometric properties of the scales. Convergent and discriminant validity was also examined using measures of procrastination and grit. In conclusion, the ITIS was found to be reliable for assessing a two-part construct, but did not correlate significantly with GPA. The NGMM shows promise in terms of psychometric qualities, and presents a first step toward a new type of mindset measure.
Multiple populations within globular clusters in Early-type galaxies Exploring their effect on stellar initial mass function estimates

It is now well-established that most (if not all) ancient globular clusters host multiple popula- tions, that are characterised by distinct chemical features such as helium abundance variations along with N-C and Na-O anti-correlations, at fixed [Fe/H]. These very distinct chemical fea- tures are similar to what is found in the centres of the massive early-type galaxies and may influence measurements of the global properties of the galaxies. Additionally, recent results have suggested that M/L variations found in the centres of massive early-type galaxies might be due to a bottom-heavy stellar initial mass function. We present an analysis of the effects of globular cluster-like multiple populations on the integrated properties of early-type galaxies. In particular, we focus on spectral features in the integrated optical spectrum and the global mass-to-light ratio that have been used to infer variations in the stellar initial mass function. To achieve this we develop appropriate stellar population synthesis models and take into account, for the first time, an initial-final mass relation which takes into consideration a varying He abundance. We conclude that while the multiple populations may be present in massive early-type galaxies, they are likely not responsible for the observed variations in the mass- to-light ratio and IMF sensitive line strengths. Finally, we estimate the fraction of stars with multiple populations chemistry that come from disrupted globular clusters within massive ellipticals and find that they may explain some of the observed chemical patterns in the centres of these galaxies.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY SERVICES (NAADS) PROGRAMS AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN UGANDA

This study set out to analyze the relationship between NAADS programs and poverty reduction in Uganda. The study was undertaken because many stakeholders were increasingly less satisfied with the program in spite of the huge tax-payers' resources invested over the years. At the same time, there are many poor people, in rural areas, who had been grossly disappointed by the way the program was being managed. Respondents in the two parishes of Busiisi Sub County, Hoima district in western Uganda were reached through questionnaires and interview guides. The results of the study indicate, beyond reasonable doubt, that NAADS program had the potential to transform the rural poor if only it is well managed. Consequently, this study recommends that government [central and local] ought to re-focus attention on effective management of all poverty reduction programs. Empowering the local people to demand accountability and value for money could well be strengthened at all levels.
STABILIZATION METHODS FOR THE NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

In this work we study the problem of step size selection for numerical schemes, which guarantees that the numerical solution presents the same qualitative behavior as the original system of ordinary differential equations. We apply tools from nonlinear control theory, specifically Lyapunov function and small-gain based feedback stabilization methods for systems with a globally asymptotically stable equilibrium point. Proceeding this way, we derive conditions under which the step size selection problem is solvable (including a nonlinear generalization of the well-known A-stability property for the implicit Euler scheme) as well as step size selection strategies for several applications.
Genetic variants of the scavenger receptor class B type I and influences on human HDL metabolism

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) spielt eine zentrale Rolle im HDL-Stoffwechsel. Seine Funktion in der zellularen Cholesterinaufnahme und im „Reversen Cholesterin Transport“ (RCT) – ein Prozess, der vor Gefaserkrankungen schutzt - wurde in Studien an Mausen bestatigt. Mause spiegeln den menschlichen Fettstoffwechsel jedoch nur ungenugend wider und daher ist die Rolle von SR-BI im humanen Lipidstoffwechsel noch unklar. Eine rezente Publikation beschreibt eine Mutation des SR-BI Rezeptors (P297S) in Patienten mit erhohtem HDL-Cholesterin. Das Ziel unserer Studie war, den Einfluss dieser SR-BI Mutation (P297S) auf die Interaktion zwischen SR-BI und HDL zu untersuchen. Ich habe Zelllinien aus humanen HuH7 Leberparenchymzellen etabliert, die einerseits die wildtyp und andererseits die mutierte Form von SR-BI stabil exprimieren. Da der Effekt der Uberexprimierung in diesen Zellen sehr gering war (doppelte SR-BI Expression), wurden auch stabile Zelllinien aus HEK293 Zellen generiert. In diesen Zellen erreichten wir eine 8-fache Uberexpression. In beiden Zellmodellen konnten wir jedoch keine Unterschiede zwischen wildtyp und mutiertem SR-BI bezuglich der Bindung von HDL an die Zellen oder der selektiven Aufnahme von Cholestertinestern messen. Mittels Fluoreszenzmikroskopie konnten wir zeigen, dass die Expression von sowohl wildtyp als auch mutiertem SR-BI die HDL-Aufnahme in HuH7 erhoht. Im Gegensatz wird in den HEK293 Zellen ein erhohtes Binden von HDL an die Plasmamembran durch SR-BI Expression hervorgerufen, ungeachtet der SR-BI Mutation. Weiters induziert die SR-BI Uberexprimierung eine Umverteilung von freiem Cholesterin in Richtung Plasmamembranin HuH7 Zellen, nicht jedoch in HEK293 Zellen. Auch hier wurde kein Unterschied zwischen Wildtyp und mutiertem SR-BI festgestellt. Zusammenfassend zeigen meine Daten keinen Effekt der SR-BI Mutation P297S auf die selektive Cholesterinesteraufnahme, die zellulare Bindung von HDL oder die Aufnahme von HDL in beiden Zellmodellen auf. Einige Ergebnisse dieser Studie widersprechenden bisher veroffentlichten Resultaten. Daher ist es wichtig, speziesabhangige Unterschiede und die Beteiligung anderer HDL Rezeptoren fur die Interpretation im jeweiligen Zellmodell zu berucksichtigen.
The Impact of Financing Decision, Dividend Policy and Corporate Ownership on Firm Performance at Presence or Absence of Growth Opportunity: A Panel Data Approach, Evidence from Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange

[enter Abstract Body]The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of a company's level of financing policy, dividend policy and corporate structure on firm performance measured by Tobin Q of Malaysian-listed at the presence or absence of growth opportunities. The study uses panel based regression approach to address whether or not policy variable such as dividend, leverage and corporate structure play differently in explaining the market based firm performance once firm faces growth opportunities or absence of growth opportunities. The analysis is based on a sample of 100 Composite Index components Companies on Kuala Lumpur stock exchange over a period of 4 years, from 1999 to 2002. Findings suggest that firm debt policy affect firm performance differently once firm face presence or absence of growth opportunities. The relationships are unique for each scenario. Once the firm faces no growth opportunities, increase in corporate debt has adverse effect on firm performance. In contrast, firms, which face growth opportunities, resorting external funding provide a multiplier effect on firm performance. While corporate dividend policy seems to be indifferent for the firms which face growth or no growth opportunities, but provide a greater explanation for the potential impact on firm performance implying that dividend policy remain most stable in Malaysian capital market which is valued by corporate investors. Corporate structure proxied by managerial ownership may not provide any meaningful explanation for firm performance over the analysis period. However, firms based both on domestic and multinational ownership provides strong explanation for firm performance once firms face no growth opportunity. Hence this study provide a new lights on issue of corporate structure on firms performance.
Parametric decay of circularly polarized Alfvén waves: Multidimensional simulations in periodic and open domains

The nonlinear evolution of monochromatic large-amplitude circularly polarized Alfven waves subject to the decay instability is studied via numerical simulations in one, two, and three spatial dimensions. The asymptotic value of the cross helicity depends strongly on the plasma beta: in the low beta case multiple decays are observed, with about half of the energy being transferred to waves propagating in the opposite direction at lower wave numbers, for each saturation step. Correspondingly, the other half of the total transverse energy (kinetic and magnetic) goes into energy carried by the daughter compressive waves and to the associated shock heating. In higher beta conditions we find instead that the cross helicity decreases monotonically with time towards zero, implying an asymptotic balance between inward and outward Alfvenic modes, a feature similar to the observed decrease with distance in the solar wind. Although the instability mainly takes place along the propagation direction, in the two and three-dimensional case a turbulent cascade occurs also transverse to the field. The asymptotic state of density fluctuations appears to be rather isotropic, whereas a slight preferential cascade in the transverse direction is seen in magnetic field spectra. Finally, parametric decay is shown to occur also in a non-periodic domain with open boundaries, when the mother wave is continuously injected from one side. In two and three dimensions a strong transverse filamentation is found at long times, reminiscent of density ray-like features observed in the extended solar corona and pressure-balanced structures found in solar wind data.
Evaluation of the solarcalc model for simulating hourly and daily incoming solar radiation in the Northern great plains of Canada

Kahimba, F.C. , P.R. Bullock, R. Sri Ranjan and H.W. Cutforth. 2009. Evaluation of the SolarCalc model for simulating hourly and daily incoming solar radiation in the Northern Great Plains of Canada. Canadian Biosystems Engineering/Le genie des biosystemes au Canada 51: 1.11 1.21. Solar radiation models have become essential tools for estimating incident solar energy reaching the earth’s surface. Extensive evaluation of these models is a problem due to limited availability of measured solar radiation data. The performance of the SolarCalc model, which estimates hourly incoming solar radiation from limited daily meteorological data, was evaluated in the Northern Great Plains of Canada. The simulated hourly solar radiation was compared with observed hourly radiation from five meteorological stations operating through the growing season over a 4-yr period from 2003 to 2006. In addition, long-term year-round hourly solar radiation from one station over the period 1997 to 2007 was used to test the seasonal performance of the model. The model was also compared against the existing 1996-Liu and the FAO-56 models. The model simulated the year-round hourly solar radiation well (R 0.85; d 0.96; E 0.82;MAE 50.84 W/m; and RMSE 96.92 W/m). The model performance was also comparable to the existing models. However, the model over-predicted the hourly peak solar radiation during the summer and under-predicted during the winter. In addition, the model had none to a very small time-lag during all the seasons. Better model simulations were observed during the summer (R 0.88, E 0.85) compared to the winter (R 0.77, E 0.69). Improvements need to be done on simulation of peak radiation during winter and summer seasons. The SolarCalc model could be used as a potential tool for obtaining year-round hourly and daily solar radiation in areas with limited meteorological data.
Production Frontier of Small Scale Pearl Millet Farmers: A Comparison of Conservation and Traditional Agricultural Practices in the Northern Namibia

This study fits a stochastic Cobb-Douglas production frontier of the pearl millet smallholder farmers and examined their technical efficiency comparing Conservation and Traditional Agriculture practices. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire administrated to 100 randomly selected smallholder farmers in Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Kavango regions during the 2014-2015 planting season. The estimated parameter of the model shows that land availability, the level of fertilizer use and tractor power explains variations in the production of pearl millet. The efficiency analysis result shows there is no statistically significant difference in the technical efficiency of farmers who were exposed to conservation agriculture compared to their traditional method of agriculture. The inefficiency model indicates that farm experience, farm size, and farm training have significant positive effect on efficiency. In addition, the study examined farmers willingness to pay for extension services, the predicted probability of getting farmers who are willing to pay is 60%. Some socio-economic factors such as farm size, herd size, and membership of a cooperative were found to influence farmers’ willingness to pay for extension service. The study recommends that Conservation Agriculture should be continued over a long period of time so that the impact can be felt. Capacity building, training, extension services, information on agronomic practices and farmer’s education are factors that policy should address.
Broadband Diffusion and Firm Performance in Rural Areas: Quasi-Experimental Evidence

This article analyzes the causal impact of advanced broadband accessibility on firm performance. We exploit a unique local policy intervention of a staged broadband infrastructure installation across rural municipalities in the Province of Trento (Italy), generating a source of exogenous (spatial and temporal) variation in the provision of next-generation broadband technology (ADSL2+). Employing a difference-in-differences strategy and using longitudinal firm-level data on annual balance sheet information of corporate enterprises, we show that ADSL2+ availability is associated with a significant increase in annual sales turnover of about 40 percent and an increase in value added of roughly 25 percent over the period of two years. The positive effect is found to be rather stable for different lengths of treatment exposure and across industrial sectors. However, no significant effects are found with respect to number of employees. Placebo estimations support a causal interpretation of our results. Overall, established corporate enterprises in 'underserved' rural and remote areas appear to profit considerably from enhanced broadband delivery programs in terms of economic performance.
Observations of nearshore crescentic sandbars

[1] The temporal and spatial variability of crescentic sandbars is analyzed with hourly long-term (months) video observations collected at four barred sites and are qualitatively compared to the temporal and spatial variability predicted by hypotheses underpinning existing approaches and models for crescentic bar formation (edge-wave template model, linear stability analysis, and nonlinear models). The observations, coming from the single barred beaches at Duck (North Carolina, USA) and Miyazaki (Kyushu, Japan), and from the double-barred beaches at the northern Gold Coast (Queensland, Australia) and Noordwijk (Netherlands), show that crescentic sandbar wavelength and amplitude variations over space and time are very common. For instance, at any moment in time, the wavelength of the smallest and longest crescentic bar can differ by a factor of 2. Temporal changes in wavelength and amplitude result from merging and splitting of individual crescents, causing the “final” configuration of a crescentic sandbar system to be very different from the initial configuration. The Gold Coast data indicate that these intrinsically nonlinear interactions are an attempt of the crescentic bar system to self-organize into a more uniform pattern, as splitting is usually confined to the longest crescentic bar observed, whereas merging usually combines the smallest crescentic bars into a longer bar. The observed spatial and temporal crescentic bar behavior contrasts qualitatively with behavior predicted from the edge-wave template model and implies that the predictive skill of linear stability models is limited. Nonlinear models are potentially better suited for a comparison against these field observations; several suggestions to improve these models, and hence to facilitate a data-model comparison, are made.