1st INCF Workshop on NeuroImaging Database Integration

The goal of this meeting was to map existing neuroimaging databases, particularly databases containing primary data, and to identify mechanisms that could facilitate integrated use of such databases, including possible fusion of databases. The report provides an overview of existing neuroimaging databases that were discussed during the workshop and examines the feasibility of database federations. The report includes several recommendations for future developments

The Mean Variance Mixing GARCH (1,1) model

Here we present a general framework for a GARCH (1,1) type of process with innovations with a probability law of the mean- variance mixing type, therefore we call the process in question the mean variance mixing GARCH \ (1,1) or MVM GARCH\(1,1). One implication is a GARCH\ model with skewed innovations and constant mean dynamics. This is achieved without using a location parameter to compensate for time dependence that affects the mean dynamics. From a probabilistic viewpoint the idea is straightforward. We just construct our stochastic process from the desired behavior of the cumulants. Further we provide explicit expressions for the unconditional second to fourth cumulants for the process in question. In the paper we present a specification of the MVM-GARCH process where the mixing variable is of the inverse Gaussian type. On the basis on this assumption we can formulate a maximum likelihood based approach for estimating the process closely related to the approach used to estimate an ordinary GARCH (1,1). Under the distributional assumption that the mixing random process is an inverse Gaussian i.i.d process the MVM-GARCH process is then estimated on log return data from the Standard and Poor 500 index. An analysis for the conditional skewness and kurtosis implied by the process is also presented in the paperGARCH Skewness Conditional Skewness

Approximating the probability distribution of functions of random variables: A new approach

We introduce a new approximation method for the distribution of functions of random variables that are real-valued. The approximation involves moment matching and exploits properties of the class of normal inverse Gaussian distributions. In the paper we we examine the how well the different approximation methods can capture the tail behavior of a function of random variables relative each other. This is obtain done by simulate a number functions of random variables and then investigate the tail behavior for each method. Further we also focus on the regions of unimodality and positive definiteness of the different approximation methods. We show that the new method provides equal or better approximations than Gram-Charlier and Edgeworth expansioApproximation of random variables

Approximating the Probability Distribution of Functions of Random Variables: A New Approach

We introduce a new approximation method for the distribution of functions of random variables that are real-valued. The approximation involves moment matching and exploits properties of the class of normal inverse Gaussian distributions. In the paper we examine the how well the different approximation methods can capture the tail behavior of a function of random variables relative each other. This is done by simulate a number functions of random variables and then investigate the tail behavior for each method. Further we also focus on the regions of unimodality and positive definiteness of the different approximation methods. We show that the new method provides equal or better approximations than Gram-Charlier and Edgeworth expansions. Nous introduisons une nouvelle méthode pour approximer la distribution de variables aléatoires. L'approximation est basée sur la classe de distribution normale inverse gaussienne. On démontre que la nouvelle approximation est meilleure que les expansions Gram-Charlier et Edgeworth.normal inverse Gaussian, Edgeworth expansions, Gram-Charlier, distribution normale inverse gaussienne, expansions d'Edgeworth, Gram-Charlier

All in the Family: A Comparison of SALDO and WordNet

Proceedings of the NODALIDA 2009 workshop WordNets and other Lexical Semantic Resources — between Lexical Semantics, Lexicography, Terminology and Formal Ontologies. Editors: Bolette Sandford Pedersen, Anna Braasch, Sanni Nimb and Ruth Vatvedt Fjeld. NEALT Proceedings Series, Vol. 7 (2009), 7-12. © 2009 The editors and contributors. Published by Northern European Association for Language Technology (NEALT) http://omilia.uio.no/nealt . Electronically published at Tartu University Library (Estonia) http://hdl.handle.net/10062/9209

Motivational interviewing may facilitate professional interactions with inspectees during environmental inspections and enforcement conversations

In the present work inspectors used Motivational Interviewing (MI) to promote environmentally sustainable behaviour in inspectees. MI is a counselling method with scientific support for various health behaviour changes. Inspectors (n = 32) in four Swedish municipalities received training in MI over a yearlong period. Their MI competency as well as their experience of using MI in routine inspections was monitored over the year. The results showed that inspectors significantly increased their competence in the Empathy variable, defined as accurate listening to inspectees. Inspectors judged MI to be useful in inspections, approximately 5 on the 6-point scale. There were indications that MI may be easier or more appropriate to use in certain inspections than in others

Semantic search in literature as an e-Humanities research tool: CONPLISIT — Consumption patterns and life-style in 19th century Swedish literature

Proceedings of the 18th Nordic Conference of Computational Linguistics NODALIDA 2011. Editors: Bolette Sandford Pedersen, Gunta Nešpore and Inguna Skadiņa. NEALT Proceedings Series, Vol. 11 (2011), 58-65. © 2011 The editors and contributors. Published by Northern European Association for Language Technology (NEALT) http://omilia.uio.no/nealt . Electronically published at Tartu University Library (Estonia) http://hdl.handle.net/10062/16955

Motivational Interviewing in an ordinary clinical setting: A controlled clinical trial at the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline

AbstractIntroductionThe present study aimed to assess the effect of adding Motivational Interviewing (MI) to the first session of an effective smoking cessation treatment protocol in an ordinary clinical setting: the Swedish National Tobacco Quitline (SNTQ).MethodThe study was designed as a controlled clinical trial. Between September 2005 and October 2006, 772 clients accepted the invitation to participate in the study and were semi-randomised to either standard treatment (ST) or MI. The primary outcome measures were self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and 6-month continuous abstinence.ResultsAt 12-month follow-up, the 772 clients were included in an intention to treat analysis. Of the clients allocated to MI, 57/296 (19%) reported 6-month continuous abstinence compared to 66/476 (14%) of the clients allocated to ST (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.00–2.19; P=.047).ConclusionsIntegrating MI into a cognitive behavioural therapy-based smoking cessation counselling in an ordinary clinical setting at a tobacco quitline increased client 6-month continuous abstinence rates by 5%