779 research outputs found

    A Framework for Psychophysiological Classification within a Cultural Heritage Context Using Interest

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    This article presents a psychophysiological construct of interest as a knowledge emotion and illustrates the importance of interest detection in a cultural heritage context. The objective of this work is to measure and classify psychophysiological reactivity in response to cultural heritage material presented as visual and audio. We present a data processing and classification framework for the classification of interest. Two studies are reported, adopting a subject-dependent approach to classify psychophysiological signals using mobile physiological sensors and the support vector machine learning algorithm. The results show that it is possible to reliably infer a state of interest from cultural heritage material using psychophysiological feature data and a machine learning approach, informing future work for the development of a real-time physiological computing system for use within an adaptive cultural heritage experience designed to adapt the provision of information to sustain the interest of the visitor

    Anomalous fluctuations of active polar filaments

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    Using a simple model, we study the fluctuating dynamics of inextensible, semiflexible polar filaments interacting with active and directed force generating centres such as molecular motors. Taking into account the fact that the activity occurs on time-scales comparable to the filament relaxation time, we obtain some unexpected differences between both the steady-state and dynamical behaviour of active as compared to passive filaments. For the statics, the filaments have a {novel} length-scale dependent rigidity. Dynamically, we find strongly enhanced anomalous diffusion.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

    Statistical mechanics of double-stranded semi-flexible polymers

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    We study the statistical mechanics of double-stranded semi-flexible polymers using both analytical techniques and simulation. We find a transition at some finite temperature, from a type of short range order to a fundamentally different sort of short range order. In the high temperature regime, the 2-point correlation functions of the object are identical to worm-like chains, while in the low temperature regime they are different due to a twist structure. In the low temperature phase, the polymers develop a kink-rod structure which could clarify some recent puzzling experiments on actin.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures; final version for publication - slight modifications to text and figure

    Associations between child mental health, carer worry and help-seeking

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    Carers may not always express child mental health concerns to health professionals. Therefore, identifying factors delaying help-seeking is important. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between carer affect and help-seeking. In a secondary analysis of data collected from school-aged children (N = 1,857, mean age = 9.85 years, 51% female), we used logistic regression to examine the associations between carer worry, help-seeking and child mental health. Regarding worry, higher levels of emotional problems (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.33-1.52), conduct problems (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.36), peer problems (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05-1.27) or functional impairment (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.2-.56) were associated with higher levels of carer worry. Regarding help-seeking, higher levels of functional impairment were associated with higher levels of help-seeking (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.09-2.11). After controlling for mental health problems, carers who reported being worried about their child's mental health were less likely than other carers to seek help (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.05-0.35). Knowledge of these factors may inform early interventions. Alongside implications for future research and practice, limitations of the study are discussed

    A Caregiver Digital Intervention to Support Shared Decision Making in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Development Process and Stakeholder Involvement Analysis

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    BACKGROUND: Parents and caregivers are generally recognized by literature and the law as key to child and adolescent mental health decisions. Digital interventions are increasingly being used to support care and treatment in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). However, evidence of the design and development process is generally not made available. OBJECTIVE: In light of calls for more transparency, this paper aims to describe the development of an evidence-based, theoretically informed digital decision support intervention for parents and caregivers of young people accessing CAMHS. METHODS: The intervention was developed in line with the UK Medical Research Council framework for developing complex interventions. The process incorporated the steps for developing patient decision aids, as follows: assessing need, assessing feasibility; defining objectives; identifying the framework of decision support; and selecting the methods, designs, and dissemination approach. We synthesized theory, research, international guidelines, and input from relevant stakeholders using an iterative design approach. RESULTS: The development steps resulted in Power Up for Parents, a decision support intervention, with five key features (ie, decisions, goals, journey, support, and resources). The intervention aims to encourage discussion, allow parents to ask questions during sessions or seek further information between sessions, and allow service providers to tailor the shared decision-making process to accommodate the needs of the parent and child. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that it is possible to use input from end users-integrated with theory and evidence-to create digital interventions to be used in CAMHS. Key lessons with implications for practice, policy, and implementation science, along with preliminary findings, are presented. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/14571

    Excitable Patterns in Active Nematics

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    We analyze a model of mutually-propelled filaments suspended in a two-dimensional solvent. The system undergoes a mean-field isotropic-nematic transition for large enough filament concentrations and the nematic order parameter is allowed to vary in space and time. We show that the interplay between non-uniform nematic order, activity and flow results in spatially modulated relaxation oscillations, similar to those seen in excitable media. In this regime the dynamics consists of nearly stationary periods separated by "bursts" of activity in which the system is elastically distorted and solvent is pumped throughout. At even higher activity the dynamics becomes chaotic.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

    Rheology of Active Filament Solutions

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    We study the viscoelasticity of an active solution of polar biofilaments and motor proteins. Using a molecular model, we derive the constitutive equations for the stress tensor in the isotropic phase and in phases with liquid crystalline order. The stress relaxation in the various phases is discussed. Contractile activity is responsible for a spectacular difference in the viscoelastic properties on opposite sides of the order-disorder transition.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

    Nematic and Polar order in Active Filament Solutions

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    Using a microscopic model of interacting polar biofilaments and motor proteins, we characterize the phase diagram of both homogeneous and inhomogeneous states in terms of experimental parameters. The polarity of motor clusters is key in determining the organization of the filaments in homogeneous isotropic, polarized and nematic states, while motor-induced bundling yields spatially inhomogeneous structures.Comment: 4 pages. 3 figure

    Bridging the microscopic and the hydrodynamic in active filament solutions

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    Hydrodynamic equations for an isotropic solution of active polar filaments are derived from a microscopic mean-field model of the forces exchanged between motors and filaments. We find that a spatial dependence of the motor stepping rate along the filament is essential to drive bundle formation. A number of differences arise as compared to hydrodynamics derived (earlier) from a mesoscopic model where relative filament velocities were obtained on the basis of symmetry considerations. Due to the anisotropy of filament diffusion, motors are capable of generating net filament motion relative to the solvent. The effect of this new term on the stability of the homogeneous state is investigated.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Europhys. Let
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