Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF VARIOUS PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE, BALANCE, KINEMATICS OF SPEED AND ACCURACY MOVEMENTS OF THE HAND IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Research background and hypothesis. Parkinson’s disease is a relevant health problem in the way that the disease limits human movement to a great extent as well as degrades the quality of life and overall communication capabilities. We believe that by accelerating the pace of individual workouts on the treadmill in the gym, better results will be achieved than using individual physical therapy at home. Research aim was to determine the effectiveness of various physical therapy programs on the quality of life, balance and kinematics of speed and accuracy movements of the hand in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Research methods. First group (n = 12) had individual physical therapy in the weightlifting gym. The second group (n = 12) had individual physical therapy at home. For the assessment of the quality of life, we selected the questionnaire PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s Disease Questionaire-39), and the subjects filled it in independently. For the assessment of static and dynamic balance, Berg Balance Scale and balance confidence scale were applied. Walking speed was assessed by using the “Up and go” test. The original device developed by Lithuanian Sports University researchers and Ltd. Katra specialists the dynamic parameter analyser of human arm and leg movements DPA-1 – was used to evaluate the characteristics of the kinematics of the dominant arm movement. Research results. It was found that after 16 physiotherapy procedures, the quality of life statistically significantly improved in all eight areas (p < 0.05) in both groups under investigation. Mean Berg Balance Scale values after 16 physiotherapy procedures statistically significantly increased (p < 0.05) in Group I and Group II. A statistically significant improvement in balance (p < 0.05) was found in both groups. There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the test performance average time values of “Up and go” test in both groups. A statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) was established in the mean values of the six-minute walk distance. Kinematics of speed and accuracy movements statistically significantly increased (p < 0.05) in both groups. Discussion and conclusions. Both physical therapy programmes were effective in improving the quality of life, balance and kinematics of speed and accuracy movements of the hand in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Individual physical therapy programme at home was less effective, while acceleration of the pace of individual workouts on the treadmill in the gym had a greater impact.
Investigation of the Epstein-Barr virus’ latent to lytic cycle switch in epithelial cells suggests an interplay between host transcription co-factors and the viral early lytic cycle protein Zta.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the oldest and most successful human viruses, infecting over 95% of the human population. Exposure usually occurs during early childhood and leads to mild, or no, acute symptoms. After primary infection, the virus enters naive B cells, causing differentiation and proliferation, finally leading to lifelong persistence of the virus in these cells (latency). Infectious virions are produced during the lytic phase of the EBV life cycle, leading to spread of the virus via oral secretions. There is a strong link between EBV infection and over a dozen malignant diseases. A large amount of our EBV knowledge has been obtained in B cells. However, this virus also infects epithelial cells and is associated with a range of epithelial malignancies. This thesis aims to elucidate some of the ambiguity surrounding EBV lytic cycle in epithelial cells and to extend the knowledge surrounding the switch from latency to lytic cycle. For this purpose EBV was induced into lytic cycle, in the epithelial cell line HONE1-EBV, with the histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA, which is used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The binding of the early lytic cycle protein, Zta, to the epithelial host cell genome was investigated using Chromatin Immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing. This led to the identification of several host genes regulated by the lytic virus. In addition, results previously obtained in B cells and other public ChIP sequencing data were included in the data analysis and revealed a potentially significant role of the host transcription co-factor and protooncogene candidate BCL3. Further experiments led to the proposal of a model for the regulation of Zta gene activation involving Zta, BCL3 and TORC.
A brief simulation intervention increasing basic science and clinical knowledge

Background The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is increasing clinical content on the Step 1 exam; thus, inclusion of clinical applications within the basic science curriculum is crucial. Including simulation activities during basic science years bridges the knowledge gap between basic science content and clinical application. Purpose To evaluate the effects of a one-off, 1-hour cardiovascular simulation intervention on a summative assessment after adjusting for relevant demographic and academic predictors. Methods This study was a non-randomized study using historical controls to evaluate curricular change. The control group received lecture (n l=515) and the intervention group received lecture plus a simulation exercise (n l+s=1,066). Assessment included summative exam questions (n=4) that were scored as pass/fail (≥75%). USMLE-style assessment questions were identical for both cohorts. Descriptive statistics for variables are presented and odds of passage calculated using logistic regression. Results Undergraduate grade point ratio, MCAT-BS, MCAT-PS, age, attendance at an academic review program, and gender were significant predictors of summative exam passage. Students receiving the intervention were significantly more likely to pass the summative exam than students receiving lecture only (P=0.0003). Discussion Simulation plus lecture increases short-term understanding as tested by a written exam. A longitudinal study is needed to assess the effect of a brief simulation intervention on long-term retention of clinical concepts in a basic science curriculum.
Observing and Modeling Ice Sheet Surface Mass Balance

Surface mass balance (SMB) provides mass input to the surface of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets and therefore comprises an important control on ice sheet mass balance and resulting contribution to global sea level change. As ice sheet SMB varies highly across multiple scales of space (meters to hundreds of kilometers) and time (hourly to decadal), it is notoriously challenging to observe and represent in models. In addition, SMB consists of multiple components, all of which depend on complex interactions between the atmosphere and the snow/ice surface, large‐scale atmospheric circulation and ocean conditions, and ice sheet topography. In this review, we present the state‐of‐the‐art knowledge and recent advances in ice sheet SMB observations and models, highlight current shortcomings, and propose future directions. Novel observational methods allow mapping SMB across larger areas, longer time periods, and/or at very high (subdaily) temporal frequency. As a recent observational breakthrough, cosmic ray counters provide direct estimates of SMB, circumventing the need for accurate snow density observations upon which many other techniques rely. Regional atmospheric climate models have drastically improved their simulation of ice sheet SMB in the last decade, thanks to the inclusion or improved representation of essential processes (e.g., clouds, blowing snow, and snow albedo), and by enhancing horizontal resolution (5–30 km). Future modeling efforts are required in improving Earth system models to match regional atmospheric climate model performance in simulating ice sheet SMB, and in reinforcing the efforts in developing statistical and dynamic downscaling to represent smaller‐scale SMB processes.
Bank Loan Covenants and Accrual Quality

We examine whether financial covenants in loan contracts motivate banks to monitor borrowers’ financial reporting practices and result in a higher quality of reported accruals. We document that, relative to loans without financial covenants, loans with financial covenants lead to a significant improvement in accrual quality measured by the extent to which accruals can be mapped into cash flows. The effect of loan covenants on accrual quality is stronger when external monitoring by non-bank stakeholders (i.e., institutional investors and financial analysts) is weaker. Furthermore, initiations of bank loans with financial covenants are related to subsequent improvements in analysts’ information environment. The evidence supports the view that bank monitoring improves accounting quality.
Computing rightmost eigenvalues for small-signal stability assessment of large scale power systems

Knowledge of the rightmost eigenvalues of system matrices is essential in power system small-signal stability analysis. Accurate and efficient computation of the rightmost eigenvalues, however, is a challenge, especially for large-scale descriptor systems. In this paper we present an algorithm, based on Subspace Accelerated Rayleigh Quotient Iteration (SARQI), for the automatic computation of the rightmost eigenvalues of large-scale (descriptor) system matrices. The effectiveness and robustness of the algorithm is illustrated by numerical experiments with realistic power system models, and we also show how SARQI can be used to compute eigenvalues closest to any damping ratio and repeated eigenvalues. The algorithm can be used for stability analysis in any other field of engineering.
Good character at school: Positive classroom behavior mediates the link between character strengths and school achievement

15 Character strengths have been found to be substantially related to children’s and adolescents’ well16 being. Initial evidence suggests that they also matter for school success (e.g., Weber and Ruch, 17 2012). The present set of two studies aimed at replicating and extending these findings in two 18 different age groups, primary school students (N = 179; mean age = 11.6 years) and secondary school 19 students (N = 199; mean age = 14.4 years). The students completed the VIA-Youth, a self-report 20 measure of the 24 character strengths in the VIA classification. Their teachers rated the students’ 21 positive behavior in the classroom. Additionally, school achievement was assessed: For the primary 22 school students (Study 1), teachers rated the students’ overall school achievement and for the 23 secondary school students (Study 2), we used their grades as a measure of school achievement. We 24 found that several character strengths were associated with both positive classroom behavior and 25 school achievement. Across both samples school achievement was correlated with love of learning, 26 perseverance, zest, gratitude, hope, and perspective. The strongest correlations with positive 27 classroom behavior were found for perseverance, self-regulation, prudence, social intelligence, and 28 hope. For both samples, there were indirect effects of most of the character strengths on school 29 achievement through teacher-rated positive classroom behavior. The converging findings from the 30 two samples support the notion that character strengths contribute to positive classroom behavior, 31 which in turn enhances school achievement. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for 32 future research and for school interventions based on character strengths. 33 34 1. Introduction 35 School achievement is substantially linked with later life outcomes (for an overview, see e.g. 36 Duckworth and Allred, 2012). Behavior in the classroom was found to predict later academic 37 achievement (Alvidrez and Weinstein, 1999) and also important life outcomes in education and the 38 Wagner & Ruch Good character at school
Age of Firms: Irrelevance Proposition

Age of firms is used with an alarming regularity in various studies in the fields of organizational behavioral, accounting and corporate finance/law/governance, industrial economics and the like. The variable “firm age” is typically called a control variable. Why it is necessary or what it controls is infrequently explained. The variable’s statistical significance or insignificance is duly noted; explanation thereof is hardly ever provided. This paper demonstrates that this variable does not provide any sensible information its users would have us believe. The paper provides numerous examples demonstrating that managerial discretion changes the nature and value of the firm, thereby negating the value of the variable. We recommend that a conceptual foundation be secured before using the variable and it not be wantonly used as a control or fixed-effect variable. Researchers would do well to report the effect size instead of merely statistical significance at some level.
Determinants of successful revenue management

Purpose The aim of this paper is to define which characteristics of a hotel and staff organization determine successful revenue management (RM) implementation in urban hotels. Design/methodology/approach Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine whether the characteristics of the hotel and the staff member in charge of RM are explanatory variables for the degree of RM implementation. Findings The findings show that hotel category, chain affiliation and the existence of qualified full-time staff are the determinants for successful RM implementation. The creation of the revenue manager position alone is not determinant in the degree of RM implementation, but his/her qualification and dedication are fundamental variables. Research limitations/implications Given that this survey was confined to the region of Madrid, it would be interesting to carry out similar research nationwide. Practical implications This study provides researchers and professionals guidance for the satisfactory implementation and use of RM, tailored to the characteristics of any given establishment. Therefore, this paper states that the creation of a qualified, on-site, full-time revenue manager position is crucial. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to conduct a formal statistical analysis of the relationship between hotel characteristics, staff organization and the degree of RM implementation. The greatest contribution of this research is the empirical demonstration that having a qualified full-time staff in charge of RM leads to better results in terms of RM implementation as opposed to not having one, having one part-time or having one at the corporate level. Therefore, this paper states that the creation of the professional revenue manager position within hotels is fundamental. Thus, the reported results provide a significant contribution to the literature related to the characteristics and organization of RM in hotels.
The `Aql-Naql Theory of Human Symbols and the Making of Cultural Sociology

This paper uses both reason (`aql) and Qur’an-based knowledge (naql) to establish my `Aql-Naql Theory of Human Symbols (ANTHS) and explain its relevance to the formulation of cultural sociology. In it, I argue that human individuals are by nature users of human symbols, based upon the following five observations/concepts: (1) the process of the human body’sgrowth and maturation is very slow when compared to that of other living beings; (2) humans have a longer lifespan than many other species; (3) the human race has a dominant role in running this world; (4) humans are distinct due to their use of human symbols (HS), which comprise spoken and written language, thought, religion, knowledge/science, laws, myths, cultural values and norms, and so on; and (5) human identity is made up of two parts, the physical body and human symbols, and is thus fully dualistic. This theory explains that human symbols (4) play a principal role in enabling humanity to occupy the central place in the world (3) as well as in the making of features 1, 2, and 5. The person’s slow bodily growth and maturation are explained by the fact that humanity’s global growth and maturation involve two fronts: those of the body and of human symbols. While the growth and maturation of non-human species is unidimensional (the body), those of their human counterparts are bidimensional (the body and human symbols. The human ability to think and reason (`aql) gives credit to human symbols’ centrality to the human identity. The Qur’an also stresses these symbols’ core importance for human identity. As a classical Islamic method, this essay will show that the use of `aql and naql in the process of knowledge making makes a major contribution to the development of cultural sociology.
Structural Shear Behavior of Composite Box Beams Using Advanced Innovated Materials

This paper presents a new conception of shear behaviour of box concrete beams reinforced by composite fabrics. For this purpose, stirrups, wire meshes as shear reinforcement were used. Seven box section concrete beams were tested using two-point loading system. Beams with tensar wire mesh exhibited increasing in ultimate failure load, shear capacity and deflection with respect to beams used fiber-glass wire mesh instead of stirrups. Nonlinear finite element analysis was conducted using finite element program of ANSYS 14.5 to verify the experimental test program. An acceptable acceptance found between the experimental and numerical results.
Modeling The Multiwavelength Spectra of Blazars

The observations of astrophysical sources in a large frequency range (from radio to very high energy gamma-ray bands) provide complete information on the nonthermal processes taking place in different objects. The modeling of acquired data is crucial for understanding the particle acceleration and emission processes. In this paper a new code that can derive the model free parameters that statistically best describe the observed data is presented. It derives the best-fit parameters and their uncertainties through Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling of the likelihood distributions. Various processes for the cooling of electrons are included in the code which allows its wide application. The code is applied to model the broadband spectral energy distributions of two well-known blazars – Mkn 501 and PKS 0537-441. Using the obtained parameters, the physical processes in their relativistic jets are discussed.
Integrating theories to predict clothing purchase on SNS

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to design and test a conceptual model integrating uses and gratifications (UGT), self-image congruity (SIC), and theory of planned behavior (TPB) theories to identify the drivers that lead users to develop intentions to purchase clothing products through social networking sites (SNS). Design/methodology/approach Using an online questionnaire, data were collected from customers of clothing products who visit the SNS of their preferred clothing brands (n=1,003). Empirical results, using partial least squares regressions, were used to test the conceptual model. Findings The results supported the model and showed, as the main result, that purchase intention through the use of SNS is positively affected by intentions to use SNS and SNS use. SNS use is influenced by intentions to use SNS and by UGT. Intentions to use SNS are positively affected by UGT, attitude and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Attitude is positively influenced by UGT, SIC, PBC and subjective norm. Social implications These findings reveal that the critical elements in achieving purchase intentions in users through SNS include obtaining their participation by managing the SNS according to users’ self-image and offering useful gratifications. Originality/value This paper integrates theories of SIC, UGT and the TPB in a context of technology post-adoption to understand users’ purchase intentions through SNS. By establishing this novel theoretical integration approach, this paper furthers insight into purchase intentions through SNS.
Automatic Video Interpretation: A Novel Algorithm for Temporal Scenario Recognition

This paper presents a new scenario recognition algorithm for Video Interpretation. We represent a scenario model by specifying the characters involved in the scenario, the sub-scenarios composing the scenario and the constraints combining the sub-scenarios. Various types of constraints can be used including spatio-temporal and logical constraints. In this paper, we focus on the performance of the recognition algorithm. Our goal is to propose an efficient algorithm for processing temporal constraints and combining several actors defined within the scenario. By efficient we mean that the recognition process is linear in function of the number of sub-scenarios and in most of the cases in function of the number of characters. To validate this algorithm in term of correctness, robustness and processing time in function of scenario and scene properties (e.g. number of persons in the scene), we have tested the algorithm on several videos of a bank branch and of an office, in on-line and off-line mode and on simulated data. We conclude by comparing our algorithm with the state of the art and showing how the definition of scenario models can influence the results of the real-time scenario recognition.
Changes in cadmium telluride photovoltaic system performance due to spectrum

Seasonal and short-term weather-related changes in the solar spectrum can induce shifts in the performance of photovoltaic (PV) systems that affect both annual energy predictions and system characterization. The spectral shift factor, which is a metric indicative of how much the performance of a PV system will vary from nameplate due to deviations from the ASTM G173 spectrum (air mass of 1.5), is predicted using TMY3 data and the simple model of the atmospheric radiative transfer for sunshine (SMARTS) model and is correlated with cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV system performance in four different climates. The predicted spectral shift factors for CdTe systems show improved performance in the late summer and early fall and diminished performance in the winter. These intraannual variations can be as large as ±3%, but annual spectral shift factors are typically within ± 1% of nameplate. The spectral shift factor of CdTe systems was found to be most sensitive to the precipitable water content of the atmosphere. Consequently, a parameterization of CdTe spectral shift factor as an exponential function of precipitable water is derived using the outputs of the SMARTS model in 11 locations. This parameterization is shown to predict observed monthly and daily fluctuations in CdTe PV performance. Future efforts will incorporate this methodology into energy predictions that will reduce uncertainty.