Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A taxonomy of behaviour change methods: an Intervention Mapping approach

ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce the Intervention Mapping (IM) taxonomy of behaviour change methods and its potential to be developed into a coding taxonomy. That is, although IM and its taxonomy of behaviour change methods are not in fact new, because IM was originally developed as a tool for intervention development, this potential was not immediately apparent. Second, in explaining the IM taxonomy and defining the relevant constructs, we call attention to the existence of parameters for effectiveness of methods, and explicate the related distinction between theory-based methods and practical applications and the probability that poor translation of methods may lead to erroneous conclusions as to method-effectiveness. Third, we recommend a minimal set of intervention characteristics that may be reported when intervention descriptions and evaluations are published. Specifying these characteristics can greatly enhance the quality of our meta-analyses and other literature syntheses. In conclusion, the dynamics of behaviour change are such that any taxonomy of methods of behaviour change needs to acknowledge the importance of, and provide instruments for dealing with, three conditions for effectiveness for behaviour change methods. For a behaviour change method to be effective: (1) it must target a determinant that predicts behaviour; (2) it must be able to change that determinant; (3) it must be translated into a practical application in a way that preserves the parameters for effectiveness and fits with the target population, culture, and context. Thus, taxonomies of methods of behaviour change must distinguish the specific determinants that are targeted, practical, specific applications, and the theory-based methods they embody. In addition, taxonomies should acknowledge that the lists of behaviour change methods will be used by, and should be used by, intervention developers. Ideally, the taxonomy should be readily usable for this goal; but alternatively, it should be clear how the information in the taxonomy can be used in practice. The IM taxonomy satisfies these requirements, and it would be beneficial if other taxonomies would be extended to also meet these needs.
Estimating activity and sedentary behavior from an accelerometer on the hip or wrist.

PURPOSE Previously, the National Health and Examination Survey measured physical activity with an accelerometer worn on the hip for 7 d but recently changed the location of the monitor to the wrist. This study compared estimates of physical activity intensity and type with an accelerometer on the hip versus the wrist. METHODS Healthy adults (n = 37) wore triaxial accelerometers (Wockets) on the hip and dominant wrist along with a portable metabolic unit to measure energy expenditure during 20 activities. Motion summary counts were created, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were then used to determine sedentary and activity intensity thresholds. Ambulatory activities were separated from other activities using the coefficient of variation of the counts. Mixed-model predictions were used to estimate activity intensity. RESULTS The ROC for determining sedentary behavior had greater sensitivity and specificity (71% and 96%) at the hip than at the wrist (53% and 76%), as did the ROC for moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity on the hip (70% and 83%) versus the wrist (30% and 69%). The ROC for the coefficient of variation associated with ambulation had a larger AUC at the hip compared to the wrist (0.83 and 0.74). The prediction model for activity energy expenditure resulted in an average difference of 0.55 ± 0.55 METs on the hip and 0.82 ± 0.93 METs on the wrist. CONCLUSIONS Methods frequently used for estimating activity energy expenditure and identifying activity intensity thresholds from an accelerometer on the hip generally do better than similar data from an accelerometer on the wrist. Accurately identifying sedentary behavior from a lack of wrist motion presents significant challenges.
How changes in market conditions affect screening activity, credit risk, and the lending behaviour of banks

ABSTRACT The global financial crisis dramatically transformed the market conditions in the banking industry. We construct a theoretical model of spatial competition that considers the differential information between lenders and loan applicants to explore how changes in the market structure affect the lending behaviour of banks and their incentives to invest in screening and how this, in turn, affects the level of credit risk in the economy. Our findings reveal that enhanced competition reduces lending cost thus encouraging the entry of new customers in credit markets. Also, that the transportation cost that loan applicants are required to pay to reach the bank of their interest shrinks with respect to the degree of competition. We further lend support to the view that stiffer competition has an increasing impact on the level of credit risk. Notably, we find that competition strengthens the incentives of banks to engage in screening activity and that screening serves as a protection mechanism that can provide banks with a shield against bad loans. Overall, when market conditions are substantially distorted, this has a dilutive impact on the incentives mechanism of banks to screen their applicants. We provide empirical evidence which is consistent with the conceptual underpinnings of our theoretical model and the obtained findings.
Monetary Base Controllability after an Exit from Quantitative Easing

Abstract This study examines the problem that a central bank may face after exiting a monetary quantitative easing policy. It develops a simple dynamic optimization model of a central bank, which finds that if the bank needs to absorb a substantial amount of excess reserves when exiting, the monetary base may become uncontrollable. In this case, the bank has no option but to increase the monetary base by more than the target amount, which leads to an undesirable money supply expansion and, ultimately, to inflation pressures. The model shows the condition when a central bank faces such a challenging situation.
Elevated Serum Levels of the c‐erbB‐2 Encoded Oncoprotein Fragment in Cases of Pure Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome

Objective: During normal human ontogenesis an overexpression of the c‐erbB‐2 encoded oncoprotein p185 (HER2/neu) occurs in the placenta and on fetal epithelial cells. It is accompanied by the increase of a 105 kD fragment (p105) in both maternal serum and cord blood. We examined whether p105 levels in maternal serum! are influenced by destructions of placental tissue, fetal growth disturbances and placental circulation disorders.
Lab of Collaborative Youth: shaping a learning framework in an active citizenship.

5 / Learning Framework in Active Citizenship: Active Learner is an Active Citizen that can be applied as a strategic and analytical tool that explains and recommends certain order of actions (methodological approach) to take into consideration when planning intergenerational collaborative projects with and for youngsters in basic and secondary education. / Lab of Collaborative Youth that is an informal platform that serves to gather all local partners and organise youth-driven educational codesign programmes and research through design. The provided contributions aim to raise awareness and continue an interdisciplinary discussion on the topic of active youth citizenship and strategic planning when it comes to designing intergenerational projects.
Optimal Monitoring Strategy to Detect Rule-breaking: A Power and Simulation Approach Parameterised with Field Data from Gola Rainforest National Park, Sierra Leone

Protected area designation aims to protect forests from illegal activities such as hunting. However, the effectiveness of protection and how this changes over time in response to protection measures is difficult to assess, including the design of monitoring programmes able to detect changes. We present new data on rule-breaking prevalence in Gola Rainforest National Park, Sierra Leone, and use these data in spatially explicit simulations to assess the survey effort and design required to detect change and assess the effect of rule-breaker behaviour to these designs. Despite being a protected area, rule-breaking (in the form of signs of hunting) occurred in almost 70% of 1 km survey squares but repeating this baseline survey of 53 survey squares would be insufficient to detect change. A much larger survey effort of 200-400 survey squares would be required to detect a 25% change in rule-breaking. Simulations highlight the extent to which rule-breaker behaviour, particularly hunter range size, influenced the likelihood of detecting change and importance of understanding this for survey design. A dedicated monitoring programme able to detect changes in the level of rule-breaking required an unrealistic level of resources, and we recommend combining monitoring with ranger patrol activities to reduce overall costs and employing questionnaire-based methods.
Hydrogen sulfide as a mediator of human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthesized by 2 enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). l-Cysteine (l-Cys) acts as a natural substrate for the synthesis of H2S. Human penile tissue possesses both CBS and CSE, and tissue homogenates efficiently convert l-Cys to H2S. CBS and CSE are localized in the muscular trabeculae and the smooth-muscle component of the penile artery, whereas CSE but not CBS is also expressed in peripheral nerves. Exogenous H2S [sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)] or l-Cys causes a concentration-dependent relaxation of strips of human corpus cavernosum. l-Cys relaxation is inhibited by the CBS inhibitor, aminoxyacetic acid (AOAA). Electrical field stimulation of human penile tissue, under resting conditions, causes an increase in tension that is significantly potentiated by either propargylglycine (PAG; CSE inhibitor) or AOAA. In rats, NaHS and l-Cys promote penile erection, and the response to l-Cys is blocked by PAG. Our data demonstrate that the l-Cys/H2S pathway mediates human corpus cavernosum smooth-muscle relaxation.
Mapping and hierarchical self-organizing neural networks for VLSI placement

We have developed mapping and hierarchical self-organizing neural networks for placement of very large scale integrated (VLST) circuits. In this paper, we introduce MHSO and MHSO2 as two versions of mapping and hierarchical self-organizing network (MHSO) algorithms. By using the MHSO, each module in the placement wins the competition with a probability density function that is defined according to different design styles, e.g., the gate arrays and standard cell circuits. The relation between a placement carrier and movable modules is met by the algorithm's ability to map an input space (somatosensory source) into an output space where the circuit modules are located, MHSO2 is designed for macro cell circuits. In this algorithm, the shape and dimension of each module is simultaneously considered together with the wire length by a hierarchical order. In comparison with other conventional placement approaches, the MHSO algorithms have shown their distinct advantages. The results for benchmark circuits so far obtained are quite comparable to simulated annealing (SA), but the computation time is about eight-ten times faster than with SA.
Patent foramen ovale closure with GORE HELEX or CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder vs. antiplatelet therapy for reduction of recurrent stroke or new brain infarct in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke: Design of the randomized Gore REDUCE Clinical Study

Rationale The utility of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for secondary prevention in patients with prior cryptogenic stroke is uncertain despite multiple randomized trials completed to date. Aims The Gore REDUCE Clinical Study (REDUCE) aims to establish superiority of patent foramen ovale closure in conjunction with antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy alone in reducing the risk of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct in patients who have had a cryptogenic stroke. Methods and design This controlled, open-label trial randomized 664 subjects with cryptogenic stroke at 63 multinational sites in a 2:1 ratio to either antiplatelet therapy plus patent foramen ovale closure (with GORE® HELEX® Septal Occluder or GORE® CARDIOFORM Septal Occluder) or antiplatelet therapy alone. Subjects will be prospectively followed for up to five years. Neuroimaging is required for all subjects at baseline and at two years or study exit. Study outcomes The two co-primary endpoints for the study are freedom from recurrent clinical ischemic stroke through at least 24 months post-randomization and incidence of new brain infarct (defined as clinical ischemic stroke or silent brain infarct) through 24 months. The primary analyses are an unadjusted log-rank test and a binomial test of subject-based proportions, respectively, both on the intent-to-treat population, with adjustment for testing multiplicity. Discussion The REDUCE trial aims to target a patient population with truly cryptogenic strokes. Medical therapy is limited to antiplatelet agents in both arms thereby reducing confounding. The trial should determine whether patent foramen ovale closure with the Gore septal occluders is safe and more effective than medical therapy alone for the prevention of recurrent clinical ischemic stroke or new silent brain infarct; the neuroimaging data will provide an opportunity to further support the proof of concept. The main results are anticipated in 2017. Registration Clinical trial registration-URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00738894
Awareness and Symbol Use Improves Future-Oriented Decision Making in Preschoolers

A child version of the Iowa Gambling task was used to explore the development of decision-making during the preschool period in two experiments. One hundred eighty-one children, 3.5 and 4.5 years of age, were asked to choose between a “bad” deck with higher immediate but lower long-term rewards and a “good” deck with lower immediate but higher long-term rewards. Experiment 1 explored age differences and the association of the gambling task with a delay of gratification task. Age differences in performance were found, supporting previous findings (Kerr & Zelazo, 2004) of a development difference between 3- and 4-year-old children in future-oriented decision making. Performance on the gambling task was found to be significantly associated with delay of gratification for 3.5-year-old children only. Experiment 2 explored the effect of labeling and symbol use on performance. Although having 4.5-year-old children label decks as good or bad improved their performance on the task, this labeling had no effect on 3.5-year-old children's performance. However, having 3.5-year-old children place a symbol representing “good” and “bad” next to the decks did improve performance, but only for those children who were able to correctly label the decks. These results suggest an interaction between conscious awareness, symbol use, and making advantageous future-oriented decisions during the preschool period.
The influence of fetal sex in screening for trisomy 21 by fetal nuchal translucency, maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A at 10–14 weeks of gestation

In a study of 2923 normal pregnancies and 203 pregnancies affected by trisomy 21 we have shown a significant difference in the median MoM of the markers: fetal nuchal translucency, maternal serum free β‐hCG and PAPP‐A in the presence of a female fetus compared with a male fetus. For maternal serum free β‐hCG levels are higher by 15% if the fetus is chromosomally normal and by 11% if the fetus has trisomy 21. For maternal serum PAPP‐A the levels in chromosomally normal fetuses are 10% higher in the presence of a female fetus and 13% higher if the fetus has trisomy 21. In contrast, fetal nuchal translucency is 3–4% lower in both chromosomally normal and trisomy 21 female fetuses. The consequence of such changes when screening for trisomy 21 will be a reduction in the detection rate in female fetuses by a factor of 1–2%. Correction of risk algorithms for fetal sex, however, is probably not feasible, since ultrasound detection of fetal sex is only 70–90% accurate in the 10–14 week period. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Sp1 Binding Site Polymorphism in the COLIA1 Gene Predicts Osteoporotic Fractures in Both Men and Women

Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, and recent studies have shown that a polymorphic Sp1 binding site in collagen type I α1 (COLIA1) gene is associated with bone mass and vertebral fractures in women from the U.K. Information on the predictive value of the COLIA1 Sp1 polymorphism in other populations is limited, however, and no studies have yet been performed in osteoporotic males. In view of this, we analyzed COLIA1 genotypes in relation to bone density and biochemical markers of bone turnover and the presence of osteoporotic fractures in a case‐control study of Danish men and women. COLIA1 genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction analysis of genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples and related to bone mass, biochemical markers of bone turnover, and the presence of fracture in a study of 375 osteoporotic vertebral fracture patients and normal controls. There was no significant effect of COLIA1 genotype on bone mass or biochemical markers when data from the control group (n = 195) and fracture group (n = 180) were analyzed separately. However, the genotype distribution was significantly different in the fracture cases compared with age‐matched controls (χ2 = 16.48, n = 249, p = 0.0003) due mainly to over‐representation of the ss genotype in the fracture patients (14.3% vs. 1.4%), equivalent to an odds ratio for vertebral fracture of 11.83 (95% confidence interval 2.64–52.97) in those with the ss genotype. Similar differences in genotype distribution between osteoporotic patients and controls were observed in both men (χ2 = 11.52, n = 95, p = 0.0032, OR = 2.04) and women (χ2 = 6.90, n = 154, p = 0.032, OR = 1.37). In keeping with the above, logistic regression analysis showed that the ss genotype was an independent predictor of osteoporotic fracture (p = 0.028). This study confirms that the COLIA1 Sp1 polymorphism is significantly associated with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The association is seen in both men and women, and the effect on fracture risk appears to be partly independent of bone mineral density. Our results raise the possibility that genotyping at the Sp1 site could be of clinical value in identifying individuals at risk of osteoporotic fractures in both genders.
Fiscal Regimes and the (Non)Stationarity of Debt

This paper analyzes the sustainability of fiscal debt contingent on fiscal policy operating in two fiscal regimes. The first regime is characterized by active policy (not reacting to debt) and the other by passive fiscal policy (reacting to debt). The average duration for which either regime can be pursued in order to arrive at a long-run stable solution is dependent on the steady-state debt-to-GDP ratio and thus determines the cutoff point beyond which debt is non-stationary. We find that the longer an active policy regime is in force or, equivalently, the more likely fiscal policy is to remain in this regime, the lower the steady state debt-to-GDP ratio must be. This has repercussions for the overall business cycle, implying a higher volatility of inflation and output the longer fiscal policy is active for any given equilibrium debt-to-GDP level. Using the Markov-switching DSGE-model as the data generating process it is possible to apply the test by Bohn (1998) and find that it is prone to type 2 errors.
Multiple isolates and characteristics of human T-cell leukemia virus type II

Human T-cell leukemia (or lymphotropic) virus type II (HTLV-II) was isolated from eight HTLV-seropositive patients, six of whom were also infected with human immunodeficiency virus, by cocultivation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with BJAB, a continuous B-cell line. Restriction endonuclease mapping of the proviruses demonstrated consistent differences among isolates, and two distinct physical map patterns were observed. The results suggest the existence of two closely related molecular subtypes of HTLV-II, which are tentatively designated HTLV-IIa and HTLV-IIb. This finding was supported by preliminary nucleotide sequence analysis of the env gene region encoding the transmembrane glycoprotein gp21, which showed consistent differences between the two proposed virus subtypes. Exploitation of differences in restriction endonuclease sites allowed polymerase chain reaction amplification to detect and differentiate the two subtypes in fresh PBMCs of HTLV-seropositive intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs). The results of these studies confirm that HTLV-II infection is the prominent HTLV infection in seropositive IVDAs and also show that infection with both subtypes occurs. The finding of genetic heterogeneity in the HTLV-II group of viruses may have important implications for studies on its role in human disease and will be useful in characterizing the viruses present in newly discovered endemic foci in New World indigenous populations.
Stripping in hot mix asphalt produced by aggregates from construction and demolition waste

This paper analyses the effect of water on the durability of hot asphalt mixtures made with recycled aggregates from construction and demolition debris. Indirect tensile stress tests were carried out to evaluate stripping behaviour. The mixtures tested were fabricated with 0, 20, 40 and 60% recycled aggregates. Two types of natural aggregates were used: schist and calcite dolomite. An increase in the percentage of recycled aggregates was found to produce a decrease in the tensile stress ratio of the hot asphalt mixtures. To study this phenomenon, two and three factor analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed with indirect tensile stress being used as the dependent variable. The factors studied were the percentage of recycled aggregates (0, 20, 40 and 60%), the moisture state (dry, wet) and the type of natural aggregate (schist, calcite). On the basis of the ANOVA results, it was found that the most important factor affecting resistance was the moisture state (dry, wet) of the specimens. The percentage of recycled aggregate also affected indirect tensile stress, especially in the dry state. The type of natural aggregate did not have a significant effect on indirect tensile stress. The hot asphalt mixture specimens made with different percentages of recycled aggregates from construction and demolition debris and of natural quarry aggregates showed poor stripping behaviour. This stripping behaviour can be related to both the poor adhesion of the recycled aggregates and the high absorption of the mortar of cement adhered to them.
Immunophenotyping of mature B-cell non Hodgkin lymphoma involving bone marrow and peripheral blood: critical analysis and insights gained at a tertiary care cancer hospital

We evaluated the diagnostic utility of flow cytometry immunophenotyping in bone marrow aspirates and peripheral blood, in the assessment of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (MBNHL). We analyzed 356 cases of MBNHL received for immunophenotyping over a 4 year period. All cases were reviewed, correlated with biopsy specimen (lymph node and splenectomy). Discrepant cases were re-evaluated. Common subtypes included chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (243 cases, 68.5%), follicular lymphoma (30 cases, 8.5%), mantle cell lymphoma (20 cases, 5.5%), splenic marginal zone lymphoma (18 cases, 5%), hairy cell leukemia (18 cases, 5%). CD5+/CD23+ had a high positive predictive value (PPV) for diagnosing CLL whereas CD5+/CD23− had a high negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosing mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL). Limited panel of 9 antibodies mainly CD19, CD5, CD23, CD10, FMC7, kappa, lambda, CD3 and CD20 help diagnose more than 92% of cases of MBNHL. Minimal diagnostic panels become important in countries with limited resources.