Applications of a constitutive framework providing compound complexity analysis and indexing of coarse-grained self-similar time series representing behavioural data are presented. A notion of behavioural entropy and ...Applications of a constitutive framework providing compound complexity analysis and indexing of coarse-grained self-similar time series representing behavioural data are presented. A notion of behavioural entropy and hysteresis is introduced as two different forms of compound measures. These measures provide clinically applicable complexity analysis of behavioural patterns yielding scalar characterisation of time-varying behaviours registered over an extended period of time. The behavioural data are obtained using body attached sensors providing non-invasive readings of heart rate, skin blood perfusion, blood oxygenation, skin temperature, movement and steps frequency. The results using compound measures of behavioural patterns of fifteen healthy individuals are presented. The application of the compound measures is shown to correlate with complexity analysis. The correlation is demonstrated using two healthy subjects compared against a control group. This indicates a possibility to use these measures in place of fractional dimensions to provide a finer characterisation of behavioural patterns observed using sensory data acquired over a long period of time.展开更多
Introduction: Wise prescription of antibiotics is an ethical duty of physicians in view of rising antimicrobial resistance in the community, it should be balanced between the health requirements of the patients and re...Introduction: Wise prescription of antibiotics is an ethical duty of physicians in view of rising antimicrobial resistance in the community, it should be balanced between the health requirements of the patients and resulting long-term antibiotics resistance. Overuse of antimicrobials is a major cause of emerging resistance to antimicrobials. There are multiple factors in the community that influence the physician’s antibiotic prescriptions. Methods: This is a systematic case-control study on antibiotics prescription for paediatric patients attending Latifa Hospital for Women and Children (LWCH), Dubai Health Authority, to know the effects of behavioral interventions on rates of inappropriate antimicrobials prescription by doctors in the Paediatric Emergency Department. Results: The results of our study showed the effectiveness of behavioral insights by peer comparison in antibiotic use among paediatricians in Latifa Hospital had a statistical significance (P = 0.0038). The rate of the prescription decreased from 41% to 21%, a difference of 20%. Conclusion: The study concluded behavioural intervention is an effective measure in reducing the improper prescription of antibiotics in the hospital setting.展开更多
Mental health problems in children and adolescents include several types of emotional and behavioural disorders, including disruptive, depression, anxiety and pervasive developmental(autism) disorders, characterized a...Mental health problems in children and adolescents include several types of emotional and behavioural disorders, including disruptive, depression, anxiety and pervasive developmental(autism) disorders, characterized as either internalizing or externalizing problems. Disruptive behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional, defiant or conduct disorders are the commonest behavioural problems in preschool and school age children. The routine Paediatric clinic or Family Medicine/General Practitioner surgery presents with several desirable characteristics that make them ideal for providing effective mental health services to children and adolescents. DSM-5 and ICD-10 are the universally accepted standard criteria for the classification of mental and behaviour disorders in childhood and adults. The age and gender prevalence estimation of various childhood behavioural disorders are variable and difficult to compare worldwide. A review of relevant published literature was conducted, including published metaanalyses and national guidelines. We searched for articles indexed by Ovid, Pub Med, Pub Med Medical Central, CINAHL, EMBASE, Database of Abstracts and Reviews, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews and other online sources. The searches were conducted using a combination of search expressions including "childhood", "behaviour", "disorders" or "problems". Childhood behaviour and emotional problems with their related disorders have significant negative impacts on the individual, the family and the society. They are commonly associated with poor academic, occupational, and psychosocial functioning. It is important for all healthcare professionals, especially the Paediatricians to be aware of the range of presentation, prevention and management of the common mental health problems in children and adolescents.展开更多
AIM To review available evidence on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT) for treating obsessive compulsive disorder co-occurring with psychosis.METHODS In this paper we present a detailed and comprehensive re...AIM To review available evidence on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT) for treating obsessive compulsive disorder co-occurring with psychosis.METHODS In this paper we present a detailed and comprehensive review of the current literature focusing on CBT treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) co-occurring with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. We identified relevant literature published between 2001 and May 2016 through MEDLINE/PubM ed search using as search string("obsessive compulsive disorders" or "obsessive compulsive symptoms") and("schizophrenia" or "schizoaffective disorder" or "psychosis") and("cognitive behavioural therapy"). Other citations of interest were further identified from references reported in the accessed articles. The search was limited to studies written in English and carried out in adult patients. A total of 9 studies, 8 case reports and 1 case series, were found.RESULTS The reviewed evidence indicates that CBT is:(1) safe, i.e., does not worsen psychotic symptoms;(2) well accepted, with a discontinuation rate quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis comorbidity;(3) effective, with a symptom reduction quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis and for SRIs treatment of OCD cooccurring with psychosis; and(4) effective in patients with OCD induced by second-generation antipsychotic as well as in patients with OCD not induced by secondgeneration antipsychotic. Alcohol/substance use disorder comorbidity and OCD onset preceding that of SCH/SA was predictors of poor outcome. These results are derived only by additional studies with adequate sample size.CONCLUSION Our results support the use of CBT for OCD in patients with psychosis.展开更多
Orb-web spiders and their webs constitute an ideal model system in which to study behavioural flexibility and spatial cognition in invertebrates due to the easily quantifiable nature of the orb web. A large number of ...Orb-web spiders and their webs constitute an ideal model system in which to study behavioural flexibility and spatial cognition in invertebrates due to the easily quantifiable nature of the orb web. A large number of studies demonstrate how spiders are able to modify the geometry of their webs in response to a range of different conditions including the ability to adapt their webs to spatial constraints. However, the mechanisms behind this impressive web-building flexibility in these cognitively limited animals remain poorly explored. One possible mechanism though may be spatial learning during the spiders＇ exploration of their immediate surroundings. This review discusses the importance of exploration behaviour, the reliance on simple behavioural rules, and the use of already laid threads as guidelines for web-building in orb-web spiders. The focus is on the spiders＇ ability to detect and adapt their webs to space limitations and other spatial disruptions. I will also review the few published studies on how spatial information is gathered during the exploration phase and discuss the possibility of the use of ＇cognitive map＇-like processes in spiders. Finally, the review provides suggestions for designing experimental studies to shed light on whether spiders gather metric information during the site exploration （cognitive map hypothesis） or rely on more simple binary information in combination with previously laid threads to build their webs （stigmergy hypothesis）.展开更多
As per most other earth science engineering problems,the underground coal geotechnical environment and the way in which roof and rib support interacts with the rock mass are complex issues.It is therefore generally re...As per most other earth science engineering problems,the underground coal geotechnical environment and the way in which roof and rib support interacts with the rock mass are complex issues.It is therefore generally recognised that without prudent simplification,the complexity of the problem will overwhelm all current geotechnical methods of modelling,not least for the reason that a rock mass can never be characterised to a level that allows a"non-simplified"analysis.The fact that numerical models,which are commonly purported to be a"simulation"tool and the so-called epitome of advanced geotechnical engineering,always need to be"calibrated"to a known reality is taken to be conclusive proof of this statement.While the problem should not be oversimplified(i.e.the dominant failure mechanisms or critical data input parameters should not be ignored),without question judicious simplification is at the heart of all engineering design,to the point that it has a well-established name–"reductionism".The hypothesis addressed in this paper,is that horizontal and vertical stress-driven slender beam and column behaviour(which includes unstable Euler Buckling)are respectively the dominant(but not only)roadway roof and ribline behavioural mechanism that(if not controlled)can lead to excessive deformation,failure and eventual collapse.As a part of the Scientific Method,a hypothesis can only be tested via real-world observations,measurements and analyses in establishing it is a credible Theory.Utilising the Scientific Method,this paper demonstrates that slender beam/column behaviour is the dominant instability mechanism within a coal mine roof/rib subject to elevated horizontal/vertical stress conditions and therefore,must be representatively accounted for in any credible empirical,analytical,or numerical approach to coal mine roof/rib stability assessment and associated ground support design.展开更多
Fingerlings of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus [mean total length,(7.0±1.0) cm SD;mean weight,(3.0±0.7) g SD] were exposed to acute concentrations of amine salt of 2,4-D(0,50,200,250,350,and 400 mg/L) to ...Fingerlings of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus [mean total length,(7.0±1.0) cm SD;mean weight,(3.0±0.7) g SD] were exposed to acute concentrations of amine salt of 2,4-D(0,50,200,250,350,and 400 mg/L) to determine the behavioural responses and mortality.When raised in aquaria the fish became hyperactive.The beat frequencies(opercular and tail beat frequency per minute,OBF and TBF) of the exposed fish declined with increase in the exposure duration and concentration,but the reverse was the case with percent mortality.These variables signifi cantly differed at both the exposure duration and concentration of the toxicant(P<0.05).Anova of the linear regression between variables-OBF,TBF and mortality on exposure duration indicated a strong positive relationship(P<0.001) with the entire variables except mortality and exposure duration.OBF and TBF were inversely correlated with exposure duration(r=-0.99;P<0.05).The 96 h lethal concentration was 165.36(133.29～190.51,C.L.) mg/L and the median lethal time at the highest concentration was 20.41(11.87～27.46) h.The results from this study revealed that 2,4-D was very toxic to C.gariepinus under laboratory conditions and its application should therefore,be restricted in the field.展开更多
This paper proposes an original behavioural finance representative agent model,to explain how fake news’empirical price impacts can persist in finance despite contradicting the efficient-market hypothesis.The model r...This paper proposes an original behavioural finance representative agent model,to explain how fake news’empirical price impacts can persist in finance despite contradicting the efficient-market hypothesis.The model reconciles empirically-observed price overreactions to fake news with empirically-observed price underreactions to real news,and predicts a novel secondary impact of fake news:that fake news in a security amplifies underreactions to subsequent real news for the security.Evaluating the model against a large-sample event study of the 2019 Chinese ADR Delisting Threat fake news and debunking event,this paper finds strong qualitative validation for its model’s dynamics and predictions.展开更多
Reinforcement Learning is a commonly used technique for learning tasks in robotics, however, traditional algorithms are unable to handle large amounts of data coming from the robot’s sensors, require long training ti...Reinforcement Learning is a commonly used technique for learning tasks in robotics, however, traditional algorithms are unable to handle large amounts of data coming from the robot’s sensors, require long training times, and use dis-crete actions. This work introduces TS-RRLCA, a two stage method to tackle these problems. In the first stage, low-level data coming from the robot’s sensors is transformed into a more natural, relational representation based on rooms, walls, corners, doors and obstacles, significantly reducing the state space. We use this representation along with Behavioural Cloning, i.e., traces provided by the user;to learn, in few iterations, a relational control policy with discrete actions which can be re-used in different environments. In the second stage, we use Locally Weighted Regression to transform the initial policy into a continuous actions policy. We tested our approach in simulation and with a real service robot on different environments for different navigation and following tasks. Results show how the policies can be used on different domains and perform smoother, faster and shorter paths than the original discrete actions policies.展开更多
Venture capital finance has two aspects,the economic aspect and the behavioural economic aspect.The economic aspect includes issues such as conflict of interest between the entrepreneur and the venture capitalist(VC),...Venture capital finance has two aspects,the economic aspect and the behavioural economic aspect.The economic aspect includes issues such as conflict of interest between the entrepreneur and the venture capitalist(VC),asymmetric information,moral hazard,and compensation issues for both the parties.The behavioural economic aspect is related to relational factors such as empathy and a feeling of fairness and trust shown by both the parties.Therefore,while deciding the financer,entrepreneur should consider both relational aspect and value add services of the financier and strike optimal trade-off.The ensuing case analysis has been carried out focusing on elimination of double-sided moral hazards through a proper trade-off between economy and behavioural economic theories(aspects).The performance of the venture can be enhanced by balancing both of these theories in practice.An equity distribution that represents economic reward is a source of motivation for both the parties to put optimal efforts towards the success of the venture.This was seen in the case analysis,when the parties perceived the initial equity distribution agreement as fair,the satisfaction level of all the parties increased,leading to the reduction in the possibility of double-sided moral hazard and ensuring the success of the venture.Moreover,the analysis shows that information sharing and two-way communication increases trust and improves decision quality.It further focusses on how feedback and proper work distribution results in efficiency of performance for each of the stakeholders,leading to reduced probability of double-sided moral hazards.展开更多
The Meeting on ICD -11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders in China, adopts the outcome document entitled “The mental health working plan for the development and promotion of ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders diag...The Meeting on ICD -11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders in China, adopts the outcome document entitled “The mental health working plan for the development and promotion of ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders diagnostic guidelines in China”annexed to the present resolution.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A c...Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023.Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception of cardiovascular diseases,behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits,and INTERHEART risk stratification score(IHRS)based on established risk factors.A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis.Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis to test the differences,Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.Results:There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioural intention and IHRS(P<0.05,Pearson correlation).Notably,individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,and behavioural intention.Males,laborers,active/former smokers,individuals with lower household income and educational levels,those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector,and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge,risk perception,and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health(P<0.05,one-way ANOVA).While educational level,smoking status,awareness about CVD poster,self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioral intention and/or IHRS(P<0.05,linear regression).Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk.Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.展开更多
Extending recent findings that reptile embryos seek optimal temperatures inside eggs for thermoregulation,our study demonstrates that this thermoregulatory behaviour can be affected by the amount of oxygen available t...Extending recent findings that reptile embryos seek optimal temperatures inside eggs for thermoregulation,our study demonstrates that this thermoregulatory behaviour can be affected by the amount of oxygen available to an embryo.We exposed embryos of a freshwater turtle(Mauremys reevesii)to two heat sources(an optimal temperature of 30°C and a high temperature of 33°C)under three different oxygen levels–hypoxia(12%O2),normoxia(21%O2)and hyperoxia(30%O2)–and quantified the interactive effects of temperature and oxygen availability on embryonic thermoregulatory behaviour.Our results demonstrated that,in both thermal treatments,embryos exposed to hypoxia did not move as close to the heat source and therefore selected lower temperatures than those exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia.Embryos may select low temperatures under hypoxic conditions to decrease oxygen consumption and therefore alleviate the negative impact of hypoxic stress.展开更多
During the COVID-19 pandemic,medical and nursing students are faced with various challenges such as the need to attend online classes and juggling clinical postings under the new norm.This study aimed to assess the as...During the COVID-19 pandemic,medical and nursing students are faced with various challenges such as the need to attend online classes and juggling clinical postings under the new norm.This study aimed to assess the asso-ciation between depression,anxiety,and behavioural changes among medical and nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed between March 2021 and July 2021 to 292 undergraduates medical and nursing students in a higher education institute on the East Coast of Malaysia.The questionnaires consisted of four parts:sociodemographic data,the Generalised Anxiety Disor-der-7,the Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and questions related to behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.This study found that 23.6%and 33.6%of the students experienced anxiety and depression respectively,possibly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Anxiety was associated with a high level of behavioural changes during the pandemic with a total of 87%of the students showing behavioural changes.Therapeutic interventions such as online counselling and consultation should be implemented by the university to reduce the prevalence of depres-sion and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic among medical and nursing students.展开更多
Corundum, which is a form of Alumina, is used to manufacture various components and mechanical, electrical and electronics parts. Known for its relatively high hardness, its other characteristics depend on the porosit...Corundum, which is a form of Alumina, is used to manufacture various components and mechanical, electrical and electronics parts. Known for its relatively high hardness, its other characteristics depend on the porosity rate that varies depending on the manufacturing process. One of the characteristics to consider is the tensile stress value changes in a standard test to failure as a function of applied force and porosity rate. In this study, for a better understanding of the effect of the two parameters, we used the statistical method of design of experiments that makes it possible to establish a mathematical model of the response, by which explains the effect of the two parameters in isolation from each other, then their effect simultaneously. Consequently, we can explain the mechanical behaviour of the porous corundum, with curves and graphs, and optimize the final result.展开更多
Background: Temperament is a predictive factor of child behaviour. Thomas and Chess evaluated relationship of temperamental factor with behavioural disturbance in social milo. Method: In this study, 500 children betwe...Background: Temperament is a predictive factor of child behaviour. Thomas and Chess evaluated relationship of temperamental factor with behavioural disturbance in social milo. Method: In this study, 500 children between 4 to 10 years old, who have been admitted for their behavioural disturbance and anxiety to Dr-Sheikh Children Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, have been chosen. The parents fill Malhotra questionnaire and Conner’s questionnaire. Then subscales of questionnaires are compared together. Result: Power and energy (activity) are the only factors which are in relation with conduct behaviour, impulsivity, hyperactivity and anxiety. Conclusion: Among temperament factor only power and energy (activity) have relation with conduct behaviour, impulsivity, hyperactivity and anxiety. Focus of attention (distractibility) is associated with hyperactivity. Sociability has no relationship with hyperactivity.展开更多
This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of...This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of individuals to both policy incentives and uncertainty may differ from the predictions of classical rational optimising behaviour. By employing a focused case study approach using both quantitative and qualitative response analysis, it considers the motivations of residential householders in the UK to reduce fossil fuel use, with additional perspectives from UK landlords, a global environmental NGO, a senior politician, and two senior stakeholder strategy managers from a large energy company. Our interpretative behavioural analysis shows that a variety of incentives are necessary to encourage behaviour change. However, case study participants largely agree on the beneficial role of government regulation and efforts to “nudge” them in the right direction with regard to their energy use. As a means of more effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we conclude that policy should focus on sustainable energy use. The findings allow us to understand why important recent policy initiatives such as the UK Green Deal failed to achieve their objectives and they suggest lessons for more effective incentive based policy making in the field of residential energy consumption.展开更多
This paper combines a review of recent advances in quantum thermodynamics, including work on objective collapse (Zurek’s quantum Darwinism) and quantum gravity (Verlinde’s quantum gravity explanation), with a redefi...This paper combines a review of recent advances in quantum thermodynamics, including work on objective collapse (Zurek’s quantum Darwinism) and quantum gravity (Verlinde’s quantum gravity explanation), with a redefinition of entropy generation as systems’ change process. These concepts are used as systems’ behaviour analysis tools to allow us to revisit Hartle and Hawking’s 1983 quantum universe and develop a hypothesis for how physically a universe starting in a quantum state could evolve into our current universe, based on systems analysis. The outcome of this analysis raises a question: do we already have the elements of a “theory of everything” hiding in plain sight within recent advances in quantum thermodynamics?展开更多
Background: A better understanding of the impact of Targeted Interventions (TI) services on Female Sex Worker (FSW) behaviours can help in informing and strengthening future TI efforts under National AIDS Control Prog...Background: A better understanding of the impact of Targeted Interventions (TI) services on Female Sex Worker (FSW) behaviours can help in informing and strengthening future TI efforts under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Methods: National Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey (IBBS) 2014-15 has been analysed in the paper. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to understand factors affecting condom use. Propensity score matching (PSM) was done to understand the impact of the TI services on condom use at the last act and consistent condom use in the last three months among FSWs. Results: Younger FSWs aged 15 - 25 years were 1.4 times (95% CI: 1.04 - 1.77) more likely to use consistent condoms in the last three months compared to older over 45 years after controlling for other socio-economic and programme variables. The matched samples estimate ATET i.e. the average treatment effect on treated for consistent condom use in the last three months shows that a 6.0% (CI: 4.7 - 7.3) increase in consistent condom use in the last three months in the FSWs who received information on STI/HIV from peer educator and outreach worker. There is also a 6.0% (4.7 - 7.2) increase in condom use in the last act for FSWs who received the referral services at STI clinics, HIV testing, and detox centres. Conclusions: It is evident that the TI programme has a positive impact on behavior change among FSWs which can prove beneficial to curtail the spread of HIV to the partners and onward transmission to the general population.展开更多
The relationship between habitat and behaviour provides important information for species management.For large,free roaming,marine animals satellite tags provide high resolution information on movement,but such datase...The relationship between habitat and behaviour provides important information for species management.For large,free roaming,marine animals satellite tags provide high resolution information on movement,but such datasets are restricted due to cost.Extracting additional biologically important information from these data would increase utilisation and value.Several modelling approaches have been developed to identify behavioural states in tracking data.The objective of this study was to evaluate a behavioural state prediction model for blue shark(Prionace glauca)ARGOS surface location-only data.The novel nature of the six SPLASH satellite tags used enabled behavioural events to be identified in blue shark dive data and accurately mapped spatio-temporally along respective surface location-only tracks.Behavioural states modelled along the six surface location-only tracks were then tested against observed behavioural events to evaluate the model’s accuracy.Results showed that the Behavioural Change Point Analysis(BCPA)model augmented with K means clustering analysis performed well for predicting foraging behaviour(correct 86%of the time).Prediction accuracy was lower for searching(52%)and travelling(63%)behaviour,likely related to the numerical dominance of foraging events in dive data.The model’s validation for predicting foraging behaviour justified its application to nine additional surface location-only(SPOT tag)tracks,substantially increasing the utilisation of expensive and rare data.Results enabled the critical behavioural state of foraging,to be mapped throughout the entire home range of blue sharks,allowing drivers of critical habitat to be investigated.This validation strengthens the use of such modelling to interpret historic and future datasets,for blue sharks but also other species,contributing to conservational management.展开更多
文摘Applications of a constitutive framework providing compound complexity analysis and indexing of coarse-grained self-similar time series representing behavioural data are presented. A notion of behavioural entropy and hysteresis is introduced as two different forms of compound measures. These measures provide clinically applicable complexity analysis of behavioural patterns yielding scalar characterisation of time-varying behaviours registered over an extended period of time. The behavioural data are obtained using body attached sensors providing non-invasive readings of heart rate, skin blood perfusion, blood oxygenation, skin temperature, movement and steps frequency. The results using compound measures of behavioural patterns of fifteen healthy individuals are presented. The application of the compound measures is shown to correlate with complexity analysis. The correlation is demonstrated using two healthy subjects compared against a control group. This indicates a possibility to use these measures in place of fractional dimensions to provide a finer characterisation of behavioural patterns observed using sensory data acquired over a long period of time.
文摘Introduction: Wise prescription of antibiotics is an ethical duty of physicians in view of rising antimicrobial resistance in the community, it should be balanced between the health requirements of the patients and resulting long-term antibiotics resistance. Overuse of antimicrobials is a major cause of emerging resistance to antimicrobials. There are multiple factors in the community that influence the physician’s antibiotic prescriptions. Methods: This is a systematic case-control study on antibiotics prescription for paediatric patients attending Latifa Hospital for Women and Children (LWCH), Dubai Health Authority, to know the effects of behavioral interventions on rates of inappropriate antimicrobials prescription by doctors in the Paediatric Emergency Department. Results: The results of our study showed the effectiveness of behavioral insights by peer comparison in antibiotic use among paediatricians in Latifa Hospital had a statistical significance (P = 0.0038). The rate of the prescription decreased from 41% to 21%, a difference of 20%. Conclusion: The study concluded behavioural intervention is an effective measure in reducing the improper prescription of antibiotics in the hospital setting.
文摘Mental health problems in children and adolescents include several types of emotional and behavioural disorders, including disruptive, depression, anxiety and pervasive developmental(autism) disorders, characterized as either internalizing or externalizing problems. Disruptive behavioural problems such as temper tantrums, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional, defiant or conduct disorders are the commonest behavioural problems in preschool and school age children. The routine Paediatric clinic or Family Medicine/General Practitioner surgery presents with several desirable characteristics that make them ideal for providing effective mental health services to children and adolescents. DSM-5 and ICD-10 are the universally accepted standard criteria for the classification of mental and behaviour disorders in childhood and adults. The age and gender prevalence estimation of various childhood behavioural disorders are variable and difficult to compare worldwide. A review of relevant published literature was conducted, including published metaanalyses and national guidelines. We searched for articles indexed by Ovid, Pub Med, Pub Med Medical Central, CINAHL, EMBASE, Database of Abstracts and Reviews, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews and other online sources. The searches were conducted using a combination of search expressions including "childhood", "behaviour", "disorders" or "problems". Childhood behaviour and emotional problems with their related disorders have significant negative impacts on the individual, the family and the society. They are commonly associated with poor academic, occupational, and psychosocial functioning. It is important for all healthcare professionals, especially the Paediatricians to be aware of the range of presentation, prevention and management of the common mental health problems in children and adolescents.
基金Supported by "Fondazione dell’Istituto di Psicopatologia Onlus",Rome,Italy
文摘AIM To review available evidence on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy(CBT) for treating obsessive compulsive disorder co-occurring with psychosis.METHODS In this paper we present a detailed and comprehensive review of the current literature focusing on CBT treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) co-occurring with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. We identified relevant literature published between 2001 and May 2016 through MEDLINE/PubM ed search using as search string("obsessive compulsive disorders" or "obsessive compulsive symptoms") and("schizophrenia" or "schizoaffective disorder" or "psychosis") and("cognitive behavioural therapy"). Other citations of interest were further identified from references reported in the accessed articles. The search was limited to studies written in English and carried out in adult patients. A total of 9 studies, 8 case reports and 1 case series, were found.RESULTS The reviewed evidence indicates that CBT is:(1) safe, i.e., does not worsen psychotic symptoms;(2) well accepted, with a discontinuation rate quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis comorbidity;(3) effective, with a symptom reduction quite similar to that reported for patients with OCD without psychosis and for SRIs treatment of OCD cooccurring with psychosis; and(4) effective in patients with OCD induced by second-generation antipsychotic as well as in patients with OCD not induced by secondgeneration antipsychotic. Alcohol/substance use disorder comorbidity and OCD onset preceding that of SCH/SA was predictors of poor outcome. These results are derived only by additional studies with adequate sample size.CONCLUSION Our results support the use of CBT for OCD in patients with psychosis.
文摘Orb-web spiders and their webs constitute an ideal model system in which to study behavioural flexibility and spatial cognition in invertebrates due to the easily quantifiable nature of the orb web. A large number of studies demonstrate how spiders are able to modify the geometry of their webs in response to a range of different conditions including the ability to adapt their webs to spatial constraints. However, the mechanisms behind this impressive web-building flexibility in these cognitively limited animals remain poorly explored. One possible mechanism though may be spatial learning during the spiders＇ exploration of their immediate surroundings. This review discusses the importance of exploration behaviour, the reliance on simple behavioural rules, and the use of already laid threads as guidelines for web-building in orb-web spiders. The focus is on the spiders＇ ability to detect and adapt their webs to space limitations and other spatial disruptions. I will also review the few published studies on how spatial information is gathered during the exploration phase and discuss the possibility of the use of ＇cognitive map＇-like processes in spiders. Finally, the review provides suggestions for designing experimental studies to shed light on whether spiders gather metric information during the site exploration （cognitive map hypothesis） or rely on more simple binary information in combination with previously laid threads to build their webs （stigmergy hypothesis）.
文摘As per most other earth science engineering problems,the underground coal geotechnical environment and the way in which roof and rib support interacts with the rock mass are complex issues.It is therefore generally recognised that without prudent simplification,the complexity of the problem will overwhelm all current geotechnical methods of modelling,not least for the reason that a rock mass can never be characterised to a level that allows a"non-simplified"analysis.The fact that numerical models,which are commonly purported to be a"simulation"tool and the so-called epitome of advanced geotechnical engineering,always need to be"calibrated"to a known reality is taken to be conclusive proof of this statement.While the problem should not be oversimplified(i.e.the dominant failure mechanisms or critical data input parameters should not be ignored),without question judicious simplification is at the heart of all engineering design,to the point that it has a well-established name–"reductionism".The hypothesis addressed in this paper,is that horizontal and vertical stress-driven slender beam and column behaviour(which includes unstable Euler Buckling)are respectively the dominant(but not only)roadway roof and ribline behavioural mechanism that(if not controlled)can lead to excessive deformation,failure and eventual collapse.As a part of the Scientific Method,a hypothesis can only be tested via real-world observations,measurements and analyses in establishing it is a credible Theory.Utilising the Scientific Method,this paper demonstrates that slender beam/column behaviour is the dominant instability mechanism within a coal mine roof/rib subject to elevated horizontal/vertical stress conditions and therefore,must be representatively accounted for in any credible empirical,analytical,or numerical approach to coal mine roof/rib stability assessment and associated ground support design.
文摘Fingerlings of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus [mean total length,(7.0±1.0) cm SD;mean weight,(3.0±0.7) g SD] were exposed to acute concentrations of amine salt of 2,4-D(0,50,200,250,350,and 400 mg/L) to determine the behavioural responses and mortality.When raised in aquaria the fish became hyperactive.The beat frequencies(opercular and tail beat frequency per minute,OBF and TBF) of the exposed fish declined with increase in the exposure duration and concentration,but the reverse was the case with percent mortality.These variables signifi cantly differed at both the exposure duration and concentration of the toxicant(P<0.05).Anova of the linear regression between variables-OBF,TBF and mortality on exposure duration indicated a strong positive relationship(P<0.001) with the entire variables except mortality and exposure duration.OBF and TBF were inversely correlated with exposure duration(r=-0.99;P<0.05).The 96 h lethal concentration was 165.36(133.29～190.51,C.L.) mg/L and the median lethal time at the highest concentration was 20.41(11.87～27.46) h.The results from this study revealed that 2,4-D was very toxic to C.gariepinus under laboratory conditions and its application should therefore,be restricted in the field.
文摘This paper proposes an original behavioural finance representative agent model,to explain how fake news’empirical price impacts can persist in finance despite contradicting the efficient-market hypothesis.The model reconciles empirically-observed price overreactions to fake news with empirically-observed price underreactions to real news,and predicts a novel secondary impact of fake news:that fake news in a security amplifies underreactions to subsequent real news for the security.Evaluating the model against a large-sample event study of the 2019 Chinese ADR Delisting Threat fake news and debunking event,this paper finds strong qualitative validation for its model’s dynamics and predictions.
文摘Reinforcement Learning is a commonly used technique for learning tasks in robotics, however, traditional algorithms are unable to handle large amounts of data coming from the robot’s sensors, require long training times, and use dis-crete actions. This work introduces TS-RRLCA, a two stage method to tackle these problems. In the first stage, low-level data coming from the robot’s sensors is transformed into a more natural, relational representation based on rooms, walls, corners, doors and obstacles, significantly reducing the state space. We use this representation along with Behavioural Cloning, i.e., traces provided by the user;to learn, in few iterations, a relational control policy with discrete actions which can be re-used in different environments. In the second stage, we use Locally Weighted Regression to transform the initial policy into a continuous actions policy. We tested our approach in simulation and with a real service robot on different environments for different navigation and following tasks. Results show how the policies can be used on different domains and perform smoother, faster and shorter paths than the original discrete actions policies.
文摘Venture capital finance has two aspects,the economic aspect and the behavioural economic aspect.The economic aspect includes issues such as conflict of interest between the entrepreneur and the venture capitalist(VC),asymmetric information,moral hazard,and compensation issues for both the parties.The behavioural economic aspect is related to relational factors such as empathy and a feeling of fairness and trust shown by both the parties.Therefore,while deciding the financer,entrepreneur should consider both relational aspect and value add services of the financier and strike optimal trade-off.The ensuing case analysis has been carried out focusing on elimination of double-sided moral hazards through a proper trade-off between economy and behavioural economic theories(aspects).The performance of the venture can be enhanced by balancing both of these theories in practice.An equity distribution that represents economic reward is a source of motivation for both the parties to put optimal efforts towards the success of the venture.This was seen in the case analysis,when the parties perceived the initial equity distribution agreement as fair,the satisfaction level of all the parties increased,leading to the reduction in the possibility of double-sided moral hazard and ensuring the success of the venture.Moreover,the analysis shows that information sharing and two-way communication increases trust and improves decision quality.It further focusses on how feedback and proper work distribution results in efficiency of performance for each of the stakeholders,leading to reduced probability of double-sided moral hazards.
文摘The Meeting on ICD -11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders in China, adopts the outcome document entitled “The mental health working plan for the development and promotion of ICD-11 Mental and Behavioural Disorders diagnostic guidelines in China”annexed to the present resolution.
基金This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education(MOHE),Malaysia,through Fundamental Research Grant Scheme(FRGS/1/2022/SKK10/UTAR/02/1)Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman,Malaysia,through UTAR-Research Grant(IPSR/RMC/UTARRF/2021-C2/L08)MBBS Community Health Project(2022/2023),UTAR.
文摘Objective:To investigate the interrelationship between cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception,behavioural intention,and INTERHEART risk stratification in a middle-aged adult population in Malaysia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted during November 2022 and January 2023.Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing cardiovascular health awareness,risk perception of cardiovascular diseases,behavioural intention towards adopting healthy habits,and INTERHEART risk stratification score(IHRS)based on established risk factors.A total of 602 respondents were included in the final analysis.Data were analysed with independent t-test/one-way ANOVA or Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis to test the differences,Pearson correlation or linear regression test to analyze the association of independent and dependent variables.Results:There was a significant positive correlation between medical knowledge related to cardiovascular disease(CVD)and knowledge related to CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioural intention and IHRS(P<0.05,Pearson correlation).Notably,individuals with higher IHRS tended to have lower knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,and behavioural intention.Males,laborers,active/former smokers,individuals with lower household income and educational levels,those involved in occupations not related to the healthcare sector,and those who did not receive the CVD health brochure or are unaware of health self-assessment tools are likely to have lower levels of knowledge,risk perception,and poorer behavioural intention regarding cardiovascular health(P<0.05,one-way ANOVA).While educational level,smoking status,awareness about CVD poster,self-assessment tools were repeatedly significantly associated with knowledge related to CVD and CVD risk prevention,risk perception,behavioral intention and/or IHRS(P<0.05,linear regression).Conclusions:These findings underscore the importance of promoting cardiovascular health awareness and risk perception among middle-aged adults to foster positive BI and reduce CVD risk.Tailored interventions targeting specific risk factors identified by INTERHEART may enhance risk stratification accuracy and facilitate targeted preventive strategies.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32030013,31821001).
文摘Extending recent findings that reptile embryos seek optimal temperatures inside eggs for thermoregulation,our study demonstrates that this thermoregulatory behaviour can be affected by the amount of oxygen available to an embryo.We exposed embryos of a freshwater turtle(Mauremys reevesii)to two heat sources(an optimal temperature of 30°C and a high temperature of 33°C)under three different oxygen levels–hypoxia(12%O2),normoxia(21%O2)and hyperoxia(30%O2)–and quantified the interactive effects of temperature and oxygen availability on embryonic thermoregulatory behaviour.Our results demonstrated that,in both thermal treatments,embryos exposed to hypoxia did not move as close to the heat source and therefore selected lower temperatures than those exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia.Embryos may select low temperatures under hypoxic conditions to decrease oxygen consumption and therefore alleviate the negative impact of hypoxic stress.
基金supported by the International Islamic University Malaysia under Collaborative Research Initiative Grant Scheme(C-RIGS19-006-0012).
文摘During the COVID-19 pandemic,medical and nursing students are faced with various challenges such as the need to attend online classes and juggling clinical postings under the new norm.This study aimed to assess the asso-ciation between depression,anxiety,and behavioural changes among medical and nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed between March 2021 and July 2021 to 292 undergraduates medical and nursing students in a higher education institute on the East Coast of Malaysia.The questionnaires consisted of four parts:sociodemographic data,the Generalised Anxiety Disor-der-7,the Patient Health Questionnaire-9,and questions related to behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic.This study found that 23.6%and 33.6%of the students experienced anxiety and depression respectively,possibly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.Anxiety was associated with a high level of behavioural changes during the pandemic with a total of 87%of the students showing behavioural changes.Therapeutic interventions such as online counselling and consultation should be implemented by the university to reduce the prevalence of depres-sion and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic among medical and nursing students.
文摘Corundum, which is a form of Alumina, is used to manufacture various components and mechanical, electrical and electronics parts. Known for its relatively high hardness, its other characteristics depend on the porosity rate that varies depending on the manufacturing process. One of the characteristics to consider is the tensile stress value changes in a standard test to failure as a function of applied force and porosity rate. In this study, for a better understanding of the effect of the two parameters, we used the statistical method of design of experiments that makes it possible to establish a mathematical model of the response, by which explains the effect of the two parameters in isolation from each other, then their effect simultaneously. Consequently, we can explain the mechanical behaviour of the porous corundum, with curves and graphs, and optimize the final result.
文摘Background: Temperament is a predictive factor of child behaviour. Thomas and Chess evaluated relationship of temperamental factor with behavioural disturbance in social milo. Method: In this study, 500 children between 4 to 10 years old, who have been admitted for their behavioural disturbance and anxiety to Dr-Sheikh Children Hospital in Mashhad, Iran, have been chosen. The parents fill Malhotra questionnaire and Conner’s questionnaire. Then subscales of questionnaires are compared together. Result: Power and energy (activity) are the only factors which are in relation with conduct behaviour, impulsivity, hyperactivity and anxiety. Conclusion: Among temperament factor only power and energy (activity) have relation with conduct behaviour, impulsivity, hyperactivity and anxiety. Focus of attention (distractibility) is associated with hyperactivity. Sociability has no relationship with hyperactivity.
文摘This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of individuals to both policy incentives and uncertainty may differ from the predictions of classical rational optimising behaviour. By employing a focused case study approach using both quantitative and qualitative response analysis, it considers the motivations of residential householders in the UK to reduce fossil fuel use, with additional perspectives from UK landlords, a global environmental NGO, a senior politician, and two senior stakeholder strategy managers from a large energy company. Our interpretative behavioural analysis shows that a variety of incentives are necessary to encourage behaviour change. However, case study participants largely agree on the beneficial role of government regulation and efforts to “nudge” them in the right direction with regard to their energy use. As a means of more effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we conclude that policy should focus on sustainable energy use. The findings allow us to understand why important recent policy initiatives such as the UK Green Deal failed to achieve their objectives and they suggest lessons for more effective incentive based policy making in the field of residential energy consumption.
文摘This paper combines a review of recent advances in quantum thermodynamics, including work on objective collapse (Zurek’s quantum Darwinism) and quantum gravity (Verlinde’s quantum gravity explanation), with a redefinition of entropy generation as systems’ change process. These concepts are used as systems’ behaviour analysis tools to allow us to revisit Hartle and Hawking’s 1983 quantum universe and develop a hypothesis for how physically a universe starting in a quantum state could evolve into our current universe, based on systems analysis. The outcome of this analysis raises a question: do we already have the elements of a “theory of everything” hiding in plain sight within recent advances in quantum thermodynamics?
文摘Background: A better understanding of the impact of Targeted Interventions (TI) services on Female Sex Worker (FSW) behaviours can help in informing and strengthening future TI efforts under National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). Methods: National Integrated Biological and Behavioural Survey (IBBS) 2014-15 has been analysed in the paper. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to understand factors affecting condom use. Propensity score matching (PSM) was done to understand the impact of the TI services on condom use at the last act and consistent condom use in the last three months among FSWs. Results: Younger FSWs aged 15 - 25 years were 1.4 times (95% CI: 1.04 - 1.77) more likely to use consistent condoms in the last three months compared to older over 45 years after controlling for other socio-economic and programme variables. The matched samples estimate ATET i.e. the average treatment effect on treated for consistent condom use in the last three months shows that a 6.0% (CI: 4.7 - 7.3) increase in consistent condom use in the last three months in the FSWs who received information on STI/HIV from peer educator and outreach worker. There is also a 6.0% (4.7 - 7.2) increase in condom use in the last act for FSWs who received the referral services at STI clinics, HIV testing, and detox centres. Conclusions: It is evident that the TI programme has a positive impact on behavior change among FSWs which can prove beneficial to curtail the spread of HIV to the partners and onward transmission to the general population.
文摘The relationship between habitat and behaviour provides important information for species management.For large,free roaming,marine animals satellite tags provide high resolution information on movement,but such datasets are restricted due to cost.Extracting additional biologically important information from these data would increase utilisation and value.Several modelling approaches have been developed to identify behavioural states in tracking data.The objective of this study was to evaluate a behavioural state prediction model for blue shark(Prionace glauca)ARGOS surface location-only data.The novel nature of the six SPLASH satellite tags used enabled behavioural events to be identified in blue shark dive data and accurately mapped spatio-temporally along respective surface location-only tracks.Behavioural states modelled along the six surface location-only tracks were then tested against observed behavioural events to evaluate the model’s accuracy.Results showed that the Behavioural Change Point Analysis(BCPA)model augmented with K means clustering analysis performed well for predicting foraging behaviour(correct 86%of the time).Prediction accuracy was lower for searching(52%)and travelling(63%)behaviour,likely related to the numerical dominance of foraging events in dive data.The model’s validation for predicting foraging behaviour justified its application to nine additional surface location-only(SPOT tag)tracks,substantially increasing the utilisation of expensive and rare data.Results enabled the critical behavioural state of foraging,to be mapped throughout the entire home range of blue sharks,allowing drivers of critical habitat to be investigated.This validation strengthens the use of such modelling to interpret historic and future datasets,for blue sharks but also other species,contributing to conservational management.
