Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notice of RetractionA hormone-modulated emotional model

Emotions are an important aspect of human intelligence and have been shown to play a significant role in human decision-making process. Researchers in areas such as psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science and artificial intelligence have proposed a variety of emotional models. However, most of the previous models have not solved the complexity of the human emotional system owing to the lack of an effective regulatory mechanism for controlling the emotions. To address the limitation, a hormone-modulated emotional model (HMEM) is presented. Since emotions are imprecise and uncertain in nature, fuzzy logic is employed in the computation of new emotion intensity. The reported experiments test HMEM within a simulated autonomous agent situated in a dynamic environment. Experimental results show that both the hormonal system and emotional system contribute positively to the survival of the agent.
International Conference on Ambient Systems , Networks and Technologies ( ANT 2015 ) SEA : A Secure and E ffi cient Authentication and Authorization Architecture for IoT-Based Healthcare Using Smart Gateways

In this paper, a secure and efficient authentication and authorization architecture for IoT-based healthcare is developed. Security and privacy of patients’ medical data are crucial for the acceptance and ubiquitous use of IoT in healthcare. Secure authentication and authorization of a remote healthcare professional is the main focus of this work. Due to resource constraints of medical sensors, it is infeasible to utilize conventional cryptography in IoT-based healthcare. In addition, gateways in existing IoTs focus only on trivial tasks without alleviating the authentication and authorization challenges. In the presented architecture, authentication and authorization of a remote end-user is done by distributed smart e-health gateways to unburden the medical sensors from performing these tasks. The proposed architecture relies on the certificate-based DTLS handshake protocol as it is the main IP security solution for IoT. The proposed authentication and authorization architecture is tested by developing a prototype IoT-based healthcare system. The prototype is built of a Pandaboard, a TI SmartRF06 board and WiSMotes. The CC2538 module integrated into the TI board acts as a smart gateway and the WisMotes act as medical sensor nodes. The proposed architecture is more secure than a state-of-the-art centralized delegation-based architecture because it uses a more secure key management scheme between sensor nodes and the smart gateway. Furthermore, the impact of DoS attacks is reduced due to the distributed nature of the architecture. Our performance evaluation results show that compared to the delegation-based architecture, the proposed architecture reduces communication overhead by 26% and communication latency from the smart gateway to the end-user by 16%. c © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Peer-review under responsibility of the Conference Program Chairs.
Management of patients during and after exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the role of primary care physicians

Current treatments have failed to stem the continuing rise in health care resource use and fatalities associated with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Reduction of severity and prevention of new exacerbations are therefore important in disease management, especially for patients with frequent exacerbations. Acute exacerbation treatment includes short-acting bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, and antibiotics if bacterial infections are present. Oxygen and/or ventilatory support may be necessary for life-threatening conditions. Rising health care costs have provided added impetus to find novel therapeutic approaches in the primary care setting to prevent and rapidly treat exacerbations before hospitalization is required. Proactive interventions may include risk reduction measures (eg, smoking cessation and vaccinations) to reduce triggers and supplemental pulmonary rehabilitation to prevent or delay exacerbation recurrence. Long-term treatment strategies should include individualized management, addressing coexisting nonpulmonary conditions, and the use of maintenance pharmacotherapies, eg, long-acting bronchodilators as monotherapy or in combination with inhaled corticosteroids to reduce exacerbations. Self-management plans that help patients recognize their symptoms and promptly access treatments have the potential to prevent exacerbations from reaching the stage that requires hospitalization.
Changes in Tonic Alertness but Not Voluntary Temporal Preparation Modulate the Attention Elicited by Task-Relevant Gaze and Arrow Cues

Attention is engaged differently depending on the type and utility of an attentional cue. Some cues like visual transients or social gaze engage attention effortlessly. Others like symbols or geometric shapes require task-relevant deliberate processing. In the laboratory, these effects are often measured using a cuing procedure, which typically manipulates cue type and its utility for the task. Recent research however has uncovered that in addition to spatial orienting, this popular paradigm also engages two additional processes—tonic alertness and voluntary temporal preparation—both of which have been found to modulate spatial orienting elicited by task-irrelevant cues but not task-relevant symbols. Here we assessed whether changes in tonic alertness and voluntary temporal preparation also modulated attentional orienting elicited by task-relevant social gaze and nonsocial arrow cues. Our results indicated that while the effects of spatial attention were reliable in all conditions and did not vary with cue type, the magnitude of orienting was larger under high tonic alertness. Thus, while the cue’s task utility appears to have the power to robustly drive attentional orienting, changes in tonic alertness may modulate the magnitude of such deliberate shifts of attention elicited by task-relevant central social and nonsocial cues.
Lower Bounds for Existential Pebble Games and k-Consistency Tests

The existential k-pebble game characterizes the expressive power of the existential-positive k-variable fragment of first-order logic on finite structures. The winner of the existential k-pebble game on two given finite structures can easily be determined in polynomial time, where the degree of the polynomial is linear in k. We show that this linear dependence on the parameter k is necessary by proving an unconditional polynomial lower bound for determining the winner in the existential k-pebble game on finite structures. Establishing strong k-consistency is a well-known heuristic for solving the constraint satisfaction problem (CSP). By the game characterization of Kolaitis and Vardi our result implies a lower bound on every algorithm that decides if strong k-consistency can be established for a given CSP-instance.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Improves Polysomnographic and Subjective Sleep Profiles in Antidepressant Users with Sleep Complaints

Background: Many antidepressant medications (ADM) are associated with disruptions in sleep continuity that can compromise medication adherence and impede successful treatment. The present study investigated whether mindfulness meditation (MM) training could improve self-reported and objectively measured polysomnographic (PSG) sleep profiles in depressed individuals who had achieved at least partial remission with ADM, but still had residual sleep complaints. Methods: Twenty-three ADM users with sleep complaints were randomized into an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course or a waitlist control condition. Pre-post measurements included PSG sleep studies and subjectively reported sleep, residual depression symptoms. Results: Compared to controls, the MBCT participants improved on both PSG and subjective measures of sleep. They showed a pattern of decreased wake time and increased sleep efficiency. Sleep depth, as measured by stage 1 and slow-wave sleep, did not change as a result of mindfulness training. Conclusions: MM is associated with increases in both objectively and subjectively measured sleep continuity in ADM users. MM training may serve as more desirable and cost-effective alternative to discontinuation or supplementation with hypnotics, and may contribute to a more sustainable recovery from depression.
Escape behavior and neuronal responses to looming stimuli in the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus (Decapoda: Grapsidae)

SUMMARY Behavioral responses to looming stimuli have been studied in many vertebrate and invertebrate species, but neurons sensitive to looming have been investigated in very few animals. In this paper we introduce a new experimental model using the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus, which allows investigation of the processes of looming detection and escape decision at both the behavioral and neuronal levels. By analyzing the escape response of the crab in a walking simulator device we show that: (i) a robust and reliable escape response can be elicited by computer-generated looming stimuli in all tested animals; (ii) parameters such as distance, speed, timing and directionality of the escape run, are easy to record and quantify precisely in the walking device; (iii) although the magnitude of escape varies between animals and stimulus presentations, the timing of the response is remarkably consistent and does not habituate at 3 min stimulus intervals. We then study the response of neurons from the brain of the crab by means of intracellular recordings in the intact animal and show that: (iv) two subclasses of previously identified movement detector neurons from the lobula (third optic neuropil) exhibit robust and reliable responses to the same looming stimuli that trigger the behavioral response; (v) the neurons respond to the object approach by increasing their rate of firing in a way that closely matches the dynamics of the image expansion. Finally, we compare the neuronal with the behavioral response showing that: (vi) differences in the neuronal responses to looming, receding or laterally moving stimuli closely reflect the behavioral differences to such stimuli; (vii) during looming, the crab starts to run soon after the looming-sensitive neurons begin to increase their firing rate. The increase in the running speed during stimulus approach faithfully follows the increment in the firing rate, until the moment of maximum stimulus expansion. Thereafter, the neurons abruptly stop firing and the animal immediately decelerates its run. The results are discussed in connection with studies of responses to looming stimuli in the locust.
Positive psychology in the clinical parapsychology setting

This presentation expands on the guest lecture given at the Bucks New University 2nd Positive Psychology Symposium (Cooper, 2016), regarding the union between positive psychology and areas of parapsychology (from the laboratory to the field). A recap will be given, on links between positive psychology and parapsychology, and how the two areas have been seen to complement each other. Focus will then be given to two of the previous areas mentioned at the 2nd symposium, these being instances of spontaneous and sought experiences. For example, there has been much research into the benefits of counselling for anomalous experiences, now seen within the domain of clinical parapsychology, bridging anomalous experiences with an understanding of the therapeutic benefits and transformative features within these experiences. Looking to the typical studies within clinical parapsychology, again, much research has focused on the overlaps between anomalous experiences following a bereavement. Focus will therefore also be given the lead author's own research specifically exploring mediumship as a form of counselling - where people seek out an experience which appears to aid symptoms of grief and loss. It will be argued that mediumship can be seen as a form of holistic intervention, in enhancing positive psychological attributes within the bereaved to help with coping, post-traumatic growth, and other positive psychological attributes.
Participatory Action Research: Reflections on Critical Incidents in a PAR Project

This article describes a participatory action research (PAR) project designed to evaluate Parent to Parent programs in five states in the United States. The PAR team consisted of two groups: 1) parent leaders of programs that create one-to-one matches between help-seeking parents of children with disabilities and volunteer supporting parents and 2) university-based researchers. Based on a narrative record of the project, critical incidents are presented along with reflections of factors that contributed to the success of the project overall. The project successfully gathered evaluative data about Parent to Parent self-help programs. Results of both the PAR project and the study it created are presented. A process of developing a shared understanding of the programs and of the purposes for evaluating them, along with an on-going willingness of parents and researchers to compromise, led to creative solutions to difficulties that arose in meeting the needs of researchers and parents. As a result of the project, published data from a controlled experimental study are now available showing that Parent to Parent assisted parents in developing more positive views of their circumstances and a stronger sense of efficacy in coping with family and child challenges. Interviews indicated some of the reasons why Parent to Parent succeeds and fails. The study also revealed operational problems in the programs that were previously unrecognized. As a result of the project, the participating programs have made several changes to improve their services and they have begun to use the research data to support their legitimacy to funders and to expand their services to new populations.
Serving Children of Incarcerated Parents

To consider the experiences of school counselors who served children of incarcerated parents (CIP) in a single school district in a southeastern state, we used an instrumental case study design. Participants sought to meet the needs of CIP using skills inherent in their professional roles; however, they experienced barriers navigating professional roles and meeting the needs of CIP. We provide implications for school counselors and recommendations for future research.
ANALISIS PERBEDAAN FAKTOR RISIKO KEJADIAN DIARE ANTARA DAERAH BANTARAN SUNGAI DAN DAERAH DARATAN DI KABUPATEN BANJAR

Penyakit diare adalah penyakit yang ditandai dengan perubahan bentuk dan konsistensi tinja melembek sampai mencair dan bertambahnya frekuensi berak lebih dari tiga kali dalam sehari. Tujuan penelitian yaitu untuk menganalisis perbedaan pengaruh faktor karakteristik individu dan faktor lingkungan antara daerah bantaran sungai dan daerah daratan di Kabupaten Banjar. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah case control, menggunakan teknik random sampling dengan sampel berjumlah 100 responden. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan kuesioner, lembar observasi, mikrotoise dan timbangan. Hasil analisis daerah Bantaran Sungai menunjukan ada hubungan antara cuci tangan sebelum makan, cuci tangan sebelum mengolah makanan, cuci tangan setelah memegang binatang, dan cuci tangan setelah memegang benda kotor, dengan kejadian diare (pvalue = 0,005). Sedangkan daerah Daratan menunjukan ada hubungan antara cuci tangan setelah BAB, cuci tangan sebelum mengolah makanan dengan kejadian diare (p-value = 0,005). Dapat diambil simpulan bahwa masyarakat membutuhkan informasi mengenai semua hal yang berkaitan dengan diare terutama dalam masalah cuci tangan.
Estimating the Value of Achieving “Good Ecological Status” in the Boyne River Catchment in Ireland Using Choice Experiments

Following the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), integrated catchment management plans must be prepared for all river basins in order to achieve “Good Ecological Status” (GES) in all EU waters. This concept is a broader measure of water quality than the chemical and biological measures which were previously dominant in EU water policy. The directive also calls for a consideration of the economic costs and benefits of improvements to the water bodies” ecological status in catchment management plans, along with the introduction of full social cost pricing for water use. In this paper, the Choice Experiment (CE) method of valuation is used to estimate the value of improvements in a number of components of ecological status in the Boyne river catchment in Ireland. The study determines what value the targeted population of the catchment place on the non-market economic benefits of moves towards GES. In addition, the effect of various factors of observed individual heterogeneity on choice is explored.
International Migration, Remittances and Household Investment: Evidence from Philippine Migrants Exchange Rate Shocks

Millions of households in developing countries receive financial support from family members working overseas. How do migrant earnings affect origin-household investments? This paper examines Philippine households%u2019 responses to overseas members%u2019 economic shocks. Overseas Filipinos work in dozens of foreign countries, which experienced sudden (and heterogeneous) changes in exchange rates due to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Appreciation of a migrant%u2019s currency against the Philippine peso leads to increases in household remittances received from overseas. The estimated elasticity of Philippine-peso remittances with respect to the Philippine/foreign exchange rate is 0.60. These positive income shocks lead to enhanced human capital accumulation and entrepreneurship in migrants%u2019 origin households. Child schooling and educational expenditure rise, while child labor falls. In the area of entrepreneurship, households raise hours worked in self-employment, and become more likely to start relatively capital-intensive household enterprises.
Key Success Factors for R&D Project Commercialization

I examine the potential impact of 36 innovation, technology and market characteristics that may determine, at an early stage assessment, the probability that R&D projects will later reach the market. Analysis is based on data from 561 R&D projects developed outside of established organizations. Administrative records contained subjective evaluations of 36 project characteristics conducted at the start of the projects by projectindependent outside analysts. A mail survey collected an objective measure of whether the projects were eventually commercialized or not. Four characteristics stand out as most predictive: expected profitability, technological opportunity, development risk and appropriability conditions. These key variables predict future commercial success well with an out-of-sample forward prediction accuracy of 80.9%. This model performs better than R&D managers’ predictions of their own R&D projects’ technical success and has the potential to be used as a screening tool for early stage R&D investment reviews.
Validation of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for Argentinean Adults

Background The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is the most commonly used method for ranking individuals based on long term food intake in large epidemiological studies. The validation of an FFQ for specific populations is essential as food consumption is culture dependent. The aim of this study was to develop a Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ) and evaluate its validity and reproducibility in estimating nutrient intake in urban and rural areas of Argentina. Methods/Principal Findings Overall, 256 participants in the Argentinean arm of the ongoing Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological study (PURE) were enrolled for development and validation of the SFFQ. One hundred individuals participated in the SFFQ development. The other 156 individuals completed the SFFQs on two occasions, four 24-hour Dietary Recalls (24DRs) in urban, and three 24DRs in rural areas during a one-year period. Correlation coefficients (r) and de-attenuated correlation coefficients between 24DRs and SFFQ were calculated for macro and micro-nutrients. The level of agreement between the two methods was evaluated using classification into same and extreme quartiles and the Bland-Altman method. The reproducibility of the SFFQ was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients and Intra-class Correlation Coefficients (ICC). The SFFQ consists of 96 food items. In both urban and rural settings de-attenuated correlations exceeded 0.4 for most of the nutrients. The classification into the same and adjacent quartiles was more than 70% for urban and 60% for rural settings. The Pearson correlation between two SFFQs varied from 0.30–0.56 and 0.32–0.60 in urban and rural settings, respectively. Conclusion Our results showed that this SFFQ had moderate relative validity and reproducibility for macro and micronutrients in relation to the comparison method and can be used to rank individuals based on habitual nutrient intake.
Disc height and anteroposterior translation in fused and adjacent segments after lumbar spine fusion

In a series of 46 patients the effects of spinal fusion upon intervertebral height and sagittal alignment in operated and non-operated segments were retrospectively evaluated on digitized radiographs. Data was compared with age- and gender-normalized standard values. The objective was to evaluate the influence of different types of spine fusions primarily upon adjacent segments, particularly in terms of degeneration and sagittal profile of the lumbar spine. Incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is still highly controversial. However, not every degeneration adjacent to spinal fusion must be caused by the fusion and responsibility of the fusion for ASD may vary with its range and type. Distortion Corrected Roentgen Analysis (DCRA) was utilized. DCRA is a proven valid, reliable, observer-independent, and accurate tool for assessment of these parameters over time and in comparison with "normal" cohorts. With this method the exact posture of the patients needs not to be known. There was little evidence for serious fusion-related ASD within an average of 40 months follow-up. No difference could be detected for rigid vs. non-rigid fusion and instrumented vs. non-instrumented techniques. Temporary postoperative distraction effects could be detected in operated and non-operated segments. Absolute preoperative values for intervertebral height and vertebral slip were age-related. Retrospectively, the choice of segments for fusion was clearly based upon radiological criteria. Thus we conclude that radiological parameters have an obvious clinical relevance for decision-making and need to be quantified. Within the limitations of this pilot study, true fusion related ASD seems to be infrequent.
Factors Influencing Attitude, Safety Behavior, and Knowledge regarding Household Waste Management in Guinea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Waste indiscriminate disposal is recognized as an important cause of environmental pollution and is associated with health problems. Safe management and disposal of household waste are an important problem to the capital city of Guinea (Conakry). The objective of this study was to identify socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with practice, knowledge, and safety behavior of family members regarding household waste management and to produce a remedial action plan. I found that no education background, income, and female individuals were independently associated with indiscriminate waste disposal. Unplanned residential area was an additional factor associated with indiscriminate waste disposal. I also found that the community residents had poor knowledge and unsafe behavior in relation to waste management. The promotion of environmental information and public education and implementation of community action programs on disease prevention and health promotion will enhance environmental friendliness and safety of the community.