Gray’s revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory in relation to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity and Tourette-like behaviors in the general population

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Tourette Syndrome (TS) present as distinct conditions clinically; however, they show comorbidity and inhibitory control deficits have been proposed to underlie both. The role of reinforcement sensitivity in ADHD has been studied previously, but no study has addressed this in relation to TS-like behaviors in the general population. The present study examined these associations within the remit of the revised Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (rRST). One hundred and thirty-eight participants completed psychometric measures of the rRST, and self-report checklists for ADHD- and TS-like behaviors

Preventing Location-Based Identity Inference in Anonymous Spatial Queries

The increasing trend of embedding positioning capabilities (for example, GPS) in mobile devices facilitates the widespread use of Location-Based Services. For such applications to succeed, privacy and confidentiality are essential. Existing privacy-enhancing techniques rely on encryption to safeguard communication channels, and on pseudonyms to protect user identities. Nevertheless, the query contents may disclose the physical location of the user. In this paper, we present a framework for preventing location-based identity inference of users who issue spatial queries to Location-Based Services. We propose transformations based on the well-established K-anonymity concept to compute exact answers for range and nearest neighbor search, without revealing the query source. Our methods optimize the entire process of anonymizing the requests and processing the transformed spatial queries. Extensive experimental studies suggest that the proposed techniques are applicable to real-life scenarios with numerous mobile users

Analysis of general aviation single-pilot IFR incident data obtained from the NASA aviation safety reporting system

Data obtained from the NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) data base were used to determine problems in general aviation single pilot IFR operations. The data examined consisted of incident reports involving flight safety in the National Aviation System. Only those incidents involving general aviation fixed wing aircraft flying under IFR in instrument meteorological conditions were analyzed. The data were cataloged into one of five major problem areas: (1) controller judgement and response problems; (2) pilot judgement and response problems; (3) air traffic control intrafacility and interfacility conflicts; (4) ATC and pilot communications problems; and (5) IFR-VFR conflicts. The significance of the related problems, and the various underlying elements associated with each are discussed. Previous ASRS reports covering several areas of analysis are reviewed

Customer Retention in Service Industry

Customer retention is previously considered as the last resort of a company in traditional marketing approach rather than a way to improve long term profit (Krishnan & Govindarajan, 2013). This is because traditional way of marketing strategy tends to focus more on attracting new customers than satisfying the existing customers. However, as globalization continue to precede, low growth and highly competitive marketplace shows that retaining customers is the more effective way to sustain a company against inroad competition. It is found by some studies showing that companies which emphasize on attracting new customers are actually earning to cover up the regular loss of existing customers without them noticing. Thus, winning new customers are considered a risky way to be profitable (Rosenberg & Czepiel, 1984). Many previous literature reviews also showed the importance of customer retention in increasing company revenue. More companies are now changing their marketing and management strategies to reach out to their existing customers in order to prevent them for opting for service provided by competitive company. A number of researches posit that customer retention increase profitability by lowering the cost used to attract new customers. It is supported by studies showing that there is increase in profit to as high as 95% if customer retention of the company increases by 5% (Sharmeela-Banu et al., 2012). Many researchers came into agreement that repeated customers are the more valuable asset compared to new customers in today’s market (Climis, 2016). Meanwhile, it can be seen in today’s world economy, service industry has emerged to be one of the fastest growing sectors among the others. Customers are considered the real asset to service industry due to the nature of this industry which prioritizes relationship between customers with the service (Alshurideh, 2016). This makes it even more crucial for this industry to practice customer retention strategies in order to survive and grow in the very competitive marketplace. As such, this study intends to explore literatures pertaining to definitions, measures, importance and factors that influence customer retention in service industry as well as to discuss on possible strategies to be applied based on the studies

Application of the epidemiological model in studying human error in aviation

An epidemiological model is described in conjunction with the analytical process through which aviation occurrence reports are composed into the events and factors pertinent to it. The model represents a process in which disease, emanating from environmental conditions, manifests itself in symptoms that may lead to fatal illness, recoverable illness, or no illness depending on individual circumstances of patient vulnerability, preventive actions, and intervention. In the aviation system the analogy of the disease process is the predilection for error of human participants. This arises from factors in the operating or physical environment and results in errors of commission or omission that, again depending on the individual circumstances, may lead to accidents, system perturbations, or harmless corrections. A discussion of the previous investigations, each of which manifests the application of the epidemiological method, exemplifies its use and effectiveness

Déficit de atención e hiperactividad en adultos con adicción a sustancias: ¿TDAH o síndrome secundario al abuso de sustancias?

Existe un cuerpo de investigación, sometido a fuertes intereses comerciales, para considerar la existencia del trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) en adultos, que informa de presuntas prevalencias muy elevadas en población adicta. Otros estudios sugieren cifras mucho menores y más acordes con las observadas en población infantil, utilizando todos, y no sólo algunos, de los criterios diagnósticos establecidos. Puesto que el diagnóstico en el momento actual debe ser meramente sindrómico, los síntomas manifestados por los afectados son de interés crucial. A partir de diversos autoinformes de síntomas de TDAH (ASRS de la OMS), de disfunción ejecutiva (DEX, FrSBe) y de condiciones asociadas (MCMI-II, DII-Short), los datos del presente estudio muestran que es más probable que los síntomas de inatención e hiperactividad observados en sujetos adictos en tratamiento se deban a efectos derivados de la adicción que a condiciones mórbidas previas al abuso de sustancias

CBT/DBT SKILLS TRAINING FOR ADULTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with marked impairments in familial, social, and professional functioning. Although stimulant treatments can be effective in adult ADHD, some patients will respond poorly or not at all to medication. Previous studies demonstrated that cognitive behavioural therapy- (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy- (DBT) oriented interventions are effective in reducing the burden of the disease, which is mainly marked by depression, interpersonal difficulties, low self-esteem, and low quality of life. In order to determine the effectiveness of this intervention, we assessed the benefits of a CBT/DBT programme to reduce residual symptoms and help patients improve their quality of life. Subjects and methods: 49 ADHD-patients, poor responders to medication, were enrolled in a one-year programme where they received individual therapy, associated with weekly sessions of group therapy with different modules: Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress Tolerance, Impulsivity/Hyperactivity and Attention. Each subject was assessed at baseline, at months 3 and 6, and at the end of the treatment for ADHD severity (ASRS v1.1), depression severity (BDI-II), hopelessness (BHS), mindfulness skills (KIMS), anger expression and control (STAXI), impulsivity (BIS-11), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and social functioning (QFS). The 49 ADHD patients were compared with 13 ADHD subjects on a waiting list. Linear mixed models were used to measure response to treatment. Results: Overall, the psychotherapeutic treatment was associated with significant improvements in almost all dimensions. The most significant changes were observed for BDI-II (b=-0.30; p<0.0001), ASRS total score (b=-0.16; p<0.0001), and KIMS AwA (b=0.21; p<0.0001), with moderate to large effect sizes. Compared with the waiting list controls, ADHD patients showed a better, albeit non-significant, pattern of response. Conclusions: Individual and structured psycho-educational DBT/CBT groups support existing data suggesting that a structured psychotherapeutic approach is useful for patients who respond partially or not at all to drug therapy