440,186 research outputs found
A Formal Treatment of Context-Awareness
Abstract. Context-aware computing refers to a computing paradigm in which the behavior of individual components is determined by the circumstances in which they find themselves to an extent that greatly exceeds the typical system/environment interaction pattern common to most modern computing. The environment has an exceedingly powerful impact on a particular application component either because the latter needs to adapt in response to changing external conditions or because it relies on resources whose availability is subject to continuous change. In this paper we seek to develop a systematic understanding of the quintessential nature of context-aware computing by constructing a formal model and notation for expressing context-aware computations. We start with the basic premise that, in its most extreme form, context should be made manifest in a manner that is highly local in appearance and decoupled in fact. Furthermore, we assume a notion of context that is relative to the needs of each individual component, and we expect context-awareness to be maintained in a totally transparent manner with minimal programming effort. We construct the model from first principles, seek to root our decisions in these formative assumptions, and make every effort to preserve minimality of concepts and elegance of notation.
Svjesnost konteksta u mreĆŸi pokretnih programskih agenata
The paper deals with context awareness in information, communication and computing systems and context introduction in mobile software agent network. Mobile agent network is a formal system that includes a multi-agent system residing in a network of interconnected nodes, which hosts agents, allowing their operation, communication and migration. Software agents can help in managing complex relationships between information and communication service users and service providers. The role of intelligent and mobile agents representing service users and service providers in the network and supporting context awareness is considered. Context is defined as any information that can be used to characterize the situation of an entity respecting its physical, social, communication and computing environment. A unified treatment of context information contained in the user profile, presence service and those relevant for general context-aware systems is proposed in order to preserve the functionality and performance evaluation capabilities of the mobile agent network. The approach elaborated in the paper is based on conceptual context representation, system services and agent operations required for supporting context-awareness in the mobile agent network. Case study on agent-based ad-hoc social network service is included.Rad se bavi svjesnoĆĄÄu konteksta u informacijskim, komunikacijskim i raÄunalnim sustavima i uvoÄenjem konteksta u mreĆŸu pokretnih programskih agenata. MreĆŸa pokretnih agenata je formalni sustav koji ukljuÄuje viĆĄeagentski sustav koji djeluje u mreĆŸi meÄusobno povezanih Ävorova koji udomljuju agente, omoguÄujuÄi im provedbu operacija, komunikaciju i migraciju. Programski agenti mogu pridonijeti upravljanju sloĆŸenih odnosa izmeÄu korisnika i davatelja informacijskih i komunikacijskih usluga. Razmatra se uloga inteligentnih i pokretnih agenata koji predstavljaju korisnike i davatelje usluga u mreĆŸi te im omoguÄuju kontekstno svjesnu potporu. Kontekst se definira kao svaka informacija kojom se moĆŸe obiljeĆŸiti situacija nekog entiteta uvaĆŸavajuÄi njegovo fiziÄko, druĆĄtveno, komunikacijsko i raÄunalno okruĆŸje. PredlaĆŸe se objedinjeno tretiranje kontekstne informacije sadrĆŸane u korisniÄkom profilu, usluzi nazoÄnosti, kao i one mjerodavne za opÄe kontekstnosvjesne sustave, kako bi se oÄuvala moguÄnost evaluacije funkcionalnosti i performansi mreĆŸe pokretnih agenata. Pristup obraÄen u radu zasniva se na koncepcijskom predoÄavanju konteksta te uslugama sustava i agentskim operacijama potrebnima za potporu konteksta u mreĆŸi pokretnih agenata. UkljuÄen je studijski primjer agentski zasnovanog ad-hoc druĆĄtvenog umreĆŸavanja
A Survey of Requirements Engineering Methods for Pervasive Services
Designing and deploying ubiquitous computing systems, such as those delivering large-scale mobile services, still requires large-scale investments in both development effort as well as infrastructure costs. Therefore, in order to develop the right system, the design process merits a thorough investigation of the wishes of the foreseen user base. Such investigations are studied in the area of requirements engineering (RE). In this report, we describe and compare three requirements engineering methods that belong to one specific form of RE, namely Goal-Oriented Requirements Engineering. By mapping these methods to a common framework, we assess their applicability in the field of ubiquitous computing systems
NgÄ mea kĆaro o ngÄ wÄ tamarikitanga, te taumahatanga o aua mea me Ätahi mahi whakaora hinegaro mĆ ngÄ wÄhine MÄori = Adverse childhood experiences, HPA axis functioning and culturally enhanced mindfulness therapy among MÄori women in Aotearoa New Zealand : a dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Listed in 2019 Dean's List of Exceptional ThesesFigures 2.1 (p. 33), 2.2 (p. 38), 2.3 (p. 43), 3.1 (p. 58), 3.2 (p. 58) & 3.3 (p. 60) have been removed for copyright reasons but may be accessed via their sources listed in the References.Chronic health conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease,
depression and anxiety are prevalent among MÄori women in New Zealand, as are
adverse experiences in childhood and chronic stress. Recent studies have shown a
link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and chronic health problems
later in life. Many of those studies propose that dysregulation in the stress response
system - specifically the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis - mediates that
link. Cortisol is the primary corticosteroid released by the HPA axis and is commonly
used as a biomarker for assessing HPA axis functioning. Mindfulness-Based Stress
Reduction (MBSR) is a therapy that uses a range of breathing techniques,
stretches, formal meditations and awareness exercises designed to help regulate
the stress response by changing the way the brain manages and relates to stress.
Due to its Eastern roots, MBSR therapy assumes an holistic view of health that
mirrors some of the key concepts promoted in Te Ao MÄori. This research tested the
HPA axis functioning of eight adult MÄori women who had experienced high ACEs,
and explored associations between cortisol dysregulation, visceral obesity (a risk
factor for many chronic health conditions) and psychological distress. This research
also tested the clinical effectiveness and cultural responsiveness of an MBSR
course that had been enhanced to suit a MÄori audience. Participants provided pre,
mid and post-treatment salivary cortisol samples that measured changes to their
acute stress cortisol response, as well as changes to their daily cortisol slope, their
cortisol awakening response and their overall cortisol levels. They also provided pre
and post-treatment waist circumference measurements. Self-report data assessing
depression and anxiety levels, PTSD levels, stress eating habits, perceived stress
levels and mindful awareness levels, was collected, as was qualitative data in the
form of pre and post-treatment interviews. The results indicated that culturally
enhanced MBSR therapy was well received with this sample of MÄori women and
that the participants reported a wide range of benefits as a result of practicing
mindfulness meditation
Use of Mental Health Services in Primary Health Care Delivery Systems in a Developing Country: A Survey of Selected General Hospitals in Delta State Nigeria
Studies on the use of mental health services in Nigeria are scarce. Most of the existing studies have focused on psychiatric illnesses. However the context for the assessment and treatment of many mental health disorders in developing countries including Nigeria is moving from mental hospitals to primary health care providers (PHC). This present study was conducted in Delta State Nigeria to assess the use and provision of mental health services in PHCs (General Hospitals). Two sets of questionnaires were used for the study; one set was given to health practitioners (15), while the other was given to 50 community respondents who were patients in these facilities. The results show that there is low utilization of mental health services in PHCs. In addition, patients do not have a positive attitude towards the use of formal mental health services and also lack an awareness of the availability of these services in PHC settings
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Impact of culture on stigma related to help-seeking behavior in college students
textThough many college students in the United States experience distress that could be ameliorated through counseling, not everyone is willing to seek help. Some estimates report that only 11% of those who have a diagnosable problem in a given year seek professional services (Vogel, Wade, & Hackler, 2007). This suggests that a barrier exists preventing individuals who could benefit from seeking help from doing so. Stigma is an umbrella term used to describe the negative social implications, such as those associated with mental illness, that serve as a barrier between student need and contact with services. The gravity of stigma was validated in the 1999 surgeon general's report on mental health that identified that the fear of stigma deterred individuals from being aware of their illness, seeking subsequent help, and remaining in treatment (http:// www.mentalhealthcommission.gov; Satcher, 1999). Stigma against help-seeking is a result of many different factors including, but not limited to, culture, societal influences, formal versus informal help-seeking, and gender norms. Understanding that it is not feasible to adequately address each of the previous factors, this report reviews stigma related to help-seeking across cultures and aims to discuss how different cultural values can influence an individual's willingness to seek formal help. Strategies for intervention and stigma reduction are also discussed.Educational Psycholog
Evidence synthesis on the occurrence, causes, consequences, prevention and management of bullying and harassment behaviours to inform decision making in the NHS
Background
Workplace bullying is a persistent problem in the NHS with negative implications for individuals, teams, and organisations. Bullying is a complex phenomenon and there is a lack of evidence on the best approaches to manage the problem.
Aims
Research questions
What is known about the occurrence, causes, consequences and management of bullying and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace?
Objectives
Summarise the reported prevalence of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour.
Summarise the empirical evidence on the causes and consequences of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour.
Describe any theoretical explanations of the causes and consequences of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour.
Synthesise evidence on the preventative and management interventions that address workplace bullying interventions and inappropriate behaviour.
Methods
To fulfil a realist synthesis approach the study was designed across four interrelated component parts:
Part 1: A narrative review of the prevalence, causes and consequences of workplace bullying
Part 2: A systematic literature search and realist review of workplace bullying interventions
Part 3: Consultation with international bullying experts and practitioners
Part 4: Identification of case studies and examples of good practic
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