3,236 research outputs found
The client satisfaction with device: a Rasch validation of the Arabic version in patients with upper and lower limb amputation
BACKGROUND: The Client Satisfaction with Devices (CSD) module of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users' Survey is an extensively used questionnaire that measures patients' satisfaction with orthosis and prosthesis. However, the validated version for Arabic speakers (CSD-Ar) is only applicable for orthosis users. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric proprieties of the CSD-Ar for prosthetics users. METHODS: The study used a convenience sample of prosthesis users from Saudi Arabia and Turkey (N\u2009=\u2009183), who completed the CSD-Ar. The collected data were analysed using Rasch analysis to evaluate item fit, reliability indices, item difficulty, local item dependency, and differential item functioning (DIF) using WINSTEPS version 4.6.1. RESULTS: Based on the analysis, the four-response Likert-scale was acceptable, as shown by the category functioning test, All eight items did achieve a fit to the Rasch Model [(infit) and (outfit) mean-square 0.75 to 1.3]. Person separation reliability was 0.76, and item separation reliability was 0.94. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed satisfactory unidimensionality and no local item dependency. The DIF analysis showed no notable dependency among items on participant characteristics in terms of age, gender, duration of use, country, and level of amputation. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the confidence of using CSD-Ar to evaluate users' satisfaction with different prostheses, affirming the need for further refinement of the quality of the outcome measure
GUT theories from Calabi-Yau 4-folds with SO(10) Singularities
We consider an SO(10) GUT model from F-theory compactified on an elliptically
fibered Calabi-Yau with a D5 singularity. To obtain the matter curves and the
Yukawa couplings, we use a global description to resolve the singularity. We
identify the vector and spinor matter representations and their Yukawa
couplings and we explicitly build the G-fluxes in the global model and check
the agreement with the semi-local results. As our bundle is of type SU(2k),
some extra conditions need to be applied to match the fluxes.Comment: 27 page
On supersymmetry breaking in string theory from gauge theory in a throat
We embed the supersymmetry breaking mechanism in N=1 SQCD of hep-th/0602239
in a smooth superstring theory using D-branes in the background R^4 \times
SL(2)_{k=1}/U(1) which smoothly captures the throat region of an intersecting
NS5-brane configuration. A controllable deformation of the supersymmetric
branes gives rise to the mass deformation of the magnetic SQCD theory on the
branes. The consequent instability on the open string worldsheet can be
followed onto a stable non-supersymmetric configuration of D-branes which
realize the metastable vacuum configuration in the field theory. The new brane
configuration is shown to backreact onto the background such as to produce
different boundary conditions for the string fields in the radial direction
compared to the supersymmetric configuration. In the string theory, this is
interpreted to mean that the supersymmetry breaking is explicit rather than
spontaneous.Comment: 29 pages, harvmac, 8 figures; v2 typos corrected, reference adde
Stability of the Minimal Heterotic Standard Model Bundle
The observable sector of the "minimal heterotic standard model" has precisely
the matter spectrum of the MSSM: three families of quarks and leptons, each
with a right-handed neutrino, and one Higgs-Higgs conjugate pair. In this
paper, it is explicitly proven that the SU(4) holomorphic vector bundle leading
to the MSSM spectrum in the observable sector is slope-stable.Comment: LaTeX, 19 page
Meta-Stable Brane Configurations with Seven NS5-Branes
We present the intersecting brane configurations consisting of NS-branes,
D4-branes(and anti D4-branes) and O6-plane, of type IIA string theory
corresponding to the meta-stable nonsupersymmetric vacua in four dimensional
N=1 supersymmetric SU(N_c) x SU(N_c') x SU(N_c'') gauge theory with a symmetric
tensor field, a conjugate symmetric tensor field and bifundamental fields. We
also describe the intersecting brane configurations of type IIA string theory
corresponding to the nonsupersymmetric meta-stable vacua in the above gauge
theory with an antisymmetric tensor field, a conjugate symmetric tensor field,
eight fundamental flavors and bifundamentals. These brane configurations
consist of NS-branes, D4-branes(and anti D4-branes), D6-branes and O6-planes.Comment: 34pp, 9 figures; Improved the draft and added some footnotes; Figure
1, footnote 7 and captions of Figures 7,8,9 added or improved and to appear
in CQ
Motivations and barriers to prosthesis users participation in physical activity, exercise and sport : a review of the literature
The UK will host the Paralympics in 2012 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014 showcasing the talents of elite athletes and aiming to inspire the population to become involved. However, low levels of physical activity (PA) are prevalent: only 40% of men and 28% of women meet the minimum UK recommendations. The limb absent population is no exception. To determine if people with limb amputations are participating in physical activity and sport; whether post-amputation activity levels match pre-amputation levels; and if there are motivations and barriers to participation. Study design: Literature review Five reviewers systematically search of peer reviewed and gray literature in seven bibliographic databases and the Cochrane Library. Results: Following rigorous elimination, 12 articles were finally included in the review and critically appraised. Four themes were identified: components, rehabilitation outcomes, body image and motivations and barriers to participation. People with limb absence are not participating in PA conducive to health benefits, and only a minority participate in exercise and sports. Participation following amputation does not mirror that of pre-amputation levels, and more barriers than motivations exist to adopting and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. This literature review aims to inform those involved in rehabilitation and ongoing care of those with limb absence about what motivates or precludes their participation in physical activity, exercise and sport. Such knowledge could be applied to improving health and well being in this population
Chiral field theories, Konishi anomalies and matrix models
We study a chiral N=1, U(N) field theory in the context of the Dijkgraaf-Vafa
correspondence. Our model contains one adjoint, one conjugate symmetric and one
antisymmetric chiral multiplet, as well as eight fundamentals. We compute the
generalized Konishi anomalies and compare the chiral ring relations they induce
with the loop equations of the (intrinsically holomorphic) matrix model defined
by the tree-level superpotential of the field theory. Surprisingly, we find
that the matrix model is well-defined only if the number of flavors equals two!
Despite this mismatch, we show that the 1/N expansion of the loop equations
agrees with the generalized Konishi constraints. This indicates that the matrix
model - gauge theory correspondence should generally be modified when applied
to theories with net chirality. We also show that this chiral theory produces
the same gaugino superpotential as a nonchiral SO(N) model with a single
symmetric multiplet and a polynomial superpotential.Comment: 43 page
First direct constraints on Fierz interference in free neutron decay
Precision measurements of free neutron -decay have been used to
precisely constrain our understanding of the weak interaction. However the
neutron Fierz interference term , which is particularly sensitive to
Beyond-Standard-Model tensor currents at the TeV scale, has thus far eluded
measurement. Here we report the first direct constraints on this term, finding
,
consistent with the Standard Model. The uncertainty is dominated by absolute
energy reconstruction and the linearity of the beta spectrometer energy
response
- …