25,941 research outputs found
Macroeconomics modelling on UK GDP growth by neural computing
This paper presents multilayer neural networks used in UK gross domestic product estimation. These networks are trained by backpropagation and genetic algorithm based methods. Different from backpropagation guided by gradients of the performance, the genetic algorithm directly evaluates the performance of multiple sets of neural networks in parallel and then uses the analysed results to breed new networks that tend to be better suited to the problems in hand. It is shown that this guided evolution leads to globally optimal networks and more accurate results, with less adjustment of the algorithm needed
Reliability and Validity of Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis
Objective: To test the reliability and validity of using the Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale (ratings 6e20) in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS).
Design: Nonrandomized repeated measures.
Setting: Research laboratory.
Participants: Volunteer sample (N=27) comprised of 16 PwMS (10 women) and 11 age-matched persons without multiple sclerosis (MS) (6 women). Clinical measures included symptomatic fatigue, depression, and MS functional capacity.
Interventions: A submaximal cycling test was performed to estimate maximal capacity. Participants then pedaled for 2 minutes at 50% and 60% of predicted maximal oxygen consumption per unit time (V̇O2), and physiological measures and RPE were obtained (week 1: response protocol). One week later, participants replicated the prescribed V̇O2 using the RPE range from week 1 (week 2: reproduction protocol). V̇O2, heart rate, and respiratory quotient were measured continuously; RPE and workload were measured every minute; and blood lactate and mean arterial pressure were measured after exercise.
Main Outcome Measures: RPE, workload, V̇O2, and heart rate from week 1 to week 2.
Results: PwMS had greater fatigue (P2, and heart rate were similar between groups. Both groups had an intraclass correlation coefficient \u3e.86 for RPE, workload, and V̇O2. The intraclass correlation coefficient was comparatively lower for heart rate for both groups (MS group: .72, non-MS group: .83). RPE was highly correlated with V̇O2(rZ.691, P
Conclusions: Results suggest that RPE can be reliably reproduced, is valid, and may be used in exercise prescription in mildly to moderately impaired PwMS during cycling exercise
A simple shower and matching algorithm
We present a simple formalism for parton-shower Markov chains. As a first
step towards more complete uncertainty bands, we incorporate a comprehensive
exploration of the ambiguities inherent in such calculations. To reduce this
uncertainty, we then introduce a matching formalism which allows a generated
event sample to simultaneously reproduce any infrared safe distribution
calculated at leading or next-to-leading order in perturbation theory, up to
sub-leading corrections. To enable a more universal definition of perturbative
calculations, we also propose a more general definition of the hadronization
cutoff. Finally, we present an implementation of some of these ideas for
final-state gluon showers, in a code dubbed VINCIA.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figure
Promoting Team-Based Exercise Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors
Physical activity benefits the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Yet, many African American survivors do not routinely exercise and have increased risk of poor outcomes. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to identify motivational factors compelling African American BCS to participate in a 14-week team walking program and to intend to continue exercise after the intervention concluded. Focus groups were held with participants (n = 12) before and after training. Content analysis discovered themes before the intervention: Not wanting to go at it alone, exercise not a life or treatment priority, cancer treatment affected activity, advocates to exercise, and can exercise really help? Four themes postintervention themes included: In the same boat, changed mind-set, improved weight and activity, and overcoming barriers. Physical data verified improvements. Results suggest that a team-based exercise training program may assist in overcoming a sedentary behavior tendency and subsequently improve health among survivors
Medical images retrieval by color content
Conference Theme: Intelligent Systems for the 21st CenturyWe develop an indexing scheme for medical images. In general, for a given medical image, there is one object which is clinically important amongst the rest. We name this object the dominant object. Our proposed index is composed of three parts: (1) the dominant objects in images are standardized; (2) each image will have its own quadtree constructed which depends on the color composition and the color variation in the image; and (3) an R-tree that supports the retrieval of color images. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the index developed, we use images of skin lesions as the image data. Our initial experiments gives promising results for image retrieval.published_or_final_versio
Survivors Speak: A Qualitative Analysis of Motivational Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Survivors’ Participation in a Sprint Distance Triathlon
Aims and Objectives
To examine motivational factors influencing breast cancer survivors to participate in triathlon training, complete a triathlon and maintain an exercise thereafter.
Background
Routine exercise has been shown to improve quality of life and reduce recurrence for breast cancer survivors. Yet physical and psychological factors present barriers for initiating and maintaining an exercise routine. Research is limited in exploring factors of exercise motivation from the survivor\u27s perspective.
Design
Qualitative design using focus groups and individual follow-up phone interviews to explore motivation for exercise initiation and maintenance.
Methods
One to two weeks after completing a triathlon, 11 breast cancer survivors who trained together participated in one of three focus groups to discuss their experience. Five months post triathlon 6 of the 11 participants were successfully contacted and phone interviews were conducted to explore exercise maintenance. Focus groups and interviews were analysed using content and thematic analysis.
Results
Five themes emerged (1) Champion for Exercise, (2) Part of a Team, (3) Everyone Had a Story, (4) Not Really Exercise and (5) What Do We Do Now? Overall, survivors recognised their need for lifestyle change (e.g. moving from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one). More importantly, they identified the team approach to exercise initiation was crucial in their success in sustaining a behavioural change.
Conclusions
Emphasis needed on developing team exercise training programmes for survivors. Nurses can play a critical role in discussing with survivors, the benefits of exercise initiation and maintenance.
Relevance to clinical practice
Breast cancer survivors are hesitant to initiate routine exercise. Training with women who share a common lived experience increases the likelihood of success. Nurses are in a position to encourage breast cancer survivors to participate in group exercise programmes as a way to improve quality of life
Frustrated multiband superconductivity
We show that a clean multiband superconductor may display one or several
phase transitions with increasing temperature from or to frustrated
configurations of the relative phases of the superconducting order parameters.
These transitions may occur when more than two bands are involved in the
formation of the superconducting phase and when the number of repulsive
interband interactions is odd. These transitions are signalled by slope changes
in the temperature dependence of the superconducting gaps.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
On the X-ray variability of magnetar 1RXS J170849.0-400910
We present a long-term X-ray flux and spectral analysis for 1RXS
J170849.0-400910 using Swift/XRT spanning over 8 years from 2005-2013. We also
analyze two observations from Chandra and XMM in the period from 2003-2004. In
this 10-yr period, 1RXS J170849.0-400910 displayed several rotational glitches.
Previous studies have claimed variations in the X-ray emission associated with
some of the glitches. From our analysis we find no evidence for significant
X-ray flux variations and evidence for only low-level spectral variations. We
also present an updated timing solution for 1RXS J170849.0-400910, from RXTE
and Swift observations, which includes a previously unreported glitch at MJD
56019. We discuss the frequency and implications of radiatively quiet glitches
in magnetars.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Proximity fingerprint of s+- superconductivity
We suggest a straightforward and unambiguous test to identify possible
opposite signs of superconducting order parameter in different bands proposed
for iron-based superconductors (s+- state). We consider proximity effect in a
weakly coupled sandwich composed of a s+- superconductor and thin layer of
s-wave superconductor. In such system the s-wave order parameter is coupled
differently with different s+- gaps and it typically aligns with one of these
gaps. This forces the other s+- gap to be anti-aligned with the s-wave gap. In
such situation the aligned band induces a peak in the s-wave density of states
(DoS), while the anti-aligned band induces a dip. Observation of such
contact-induced negative feature in the s-wave DoS would provide a definite
proof for s+- superconductivity.Comment: 4 pages, one figur
From computation to black holes and space-time foam
We show that quantum mechanics and general relativity limit the speed
of a simple computer (such as a black hole) and its memory space
to \tilde{\nu}^2 I^{-1} \lsim t_P^{-2}, where is the Planck time.
We also show that the life-time of a simple clock and its precision are
similarly limited. These bounds and the holographic bound originate from the
same physics that governs the quantum fluctuations of space-time. We further
show that these physical bounds are realized for black holes, yielding the
correct Hawking black hole lifetime, and that space-time undergoes much larger
quantum fluctuations than conventional wisdom claims -- almost within range of
detection with modern gravitational-wave interferometers.Comment: A misidentification of computer speeds is corrected. Our results for
black hole computation now agree with those given by S. Lloyd. All other
conclusions remain unchange
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