Experiments with Encoding Structured Data for Neural Networks

The project's aim is to create an AI agent capable of selecting good actions in a game-playing domain called Battlespace. Sequential domains like Battlespace are important testbeds for planning problems, as such, the Department of Defense uses such domains for wargaming exercises. The agents we developed combine Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) and Deep Q-Network (DQN) techniques in an effort to navigate the game environment, avoid obstacles, interact with adversaries, and capture the flag. This paper will focus on the encoding techniques we explored to present complex structured data stored in a Python class, a necessary precursor to an agent.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, 2 table

Synthesis of nanocomposite coating based on TiO₂/ZnAl layer double hydroxides

The aim of this investigation was the synthesis of nanocomposite coatings based on Zn-Al layered double hydroxides (Zn-Al LDH) and TiO2. The Zn-Al LDH material, which acted as the catalyst support of the active TiO2 component (in the content of 3 and 10 wt. %), was synthesized by a low super saturation co-precipitation method. The interaction between the Zn-Al LDH and the active TiO2 component was accomplished by using vacuum evaporation prior to the mechanical activation and only by mechanical activation. The final suspension based on Zn-Al LDH and 10wt. % TiO2, impregnated only by mechanical activation, showed the optimal characteristics from the aspect of particle size distribution and XRD analysis. These properties had a positive effect on the functional properties of the coatings (photocatalytic activity and self-cleaning efficiency) after the water rinsing procedure

Comparison of the demographic profile among caregivers of schizophrenia and depression

Aim: This study aimed to explore the care givers socio-demographic and compare among schizophrenia and depression. Materials and Methods: A series of one hundred schizophrenia and one hundred depression consecutive patients attending psychiatry department who were accompanied by caregivers have been taken up for the study within the age group of 18-63 and above. To identify the primary care givers of above patients Pollack and Perlick scale was used. The International Classification of Disease, Diagnostic Criteria for Research ICD-10 criteria were used for psychiatric diagnosis and caregivers of the patients were assessed and compared on self-developed socio demographic proforma. Analysis was carried out using the SPSS-PC, version 17. Chi-square tests were carried out for comparison of the variables between the two groups. Results: Two groups of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and depression have differed on variables such as age, gender, education, occupation, family income, length of contact with the patient, and relationship with the patient. Conclusion: The study finds significant difference in caregivers demographic variables in schizophrenia and depressive disorder

Factors associated with family burden in schizophrenia

Background: Family burden affects the health of both patient and caregivers. Identifying determinants of family care burden in patients with schizophrenia has significant psychosocial implications. Aim: To investigate the sociodemographic factors associated with caregiver burden in patients with schizophrenia. Materials and Methods: A series of one hundred schizophrenia within the age group of 18–47 and above and having more than 2 year's history of illness and 100 caregivers of such a patient have been taken up for the study, within the age group of 18–63 and above. To identify the primary care givers of the above patients, Pollack and Perlick scale was used. The International Classification of Disease-10 – Diagnostic Criteria for Research were used for psychiatric diagnosis. Patient and caregivers of the patients were assessed on self-developed sociodemographic pro forma. Pearson correlation coefficient test was used to study the correlation between patient, caregivers, and family burden. Results: Family care burden has statistically significant correlation with patients advanced age (r = 0.239, P< 0.017), duration of illness (r = 0.210, P< 0.036), and patient income (r = 0.202, P< 0.044). The correlation analysis also correlated positively with family care burden and caregivers advanced age (r = 0.226, P< 0.034), low education level (r = −0.215, P< 0.032), poor family income (r = 0.205, P< 0.043), and length of contact with patients (r = 0.242, P< 0.021). Conclusion: Patient advanced ages, duration of illness, poor patient income, caregivers' advanced ages, low education level, poor family income, and length of contact with patients were the factors most likely associated with family care burden in schizophrenia

Comparison of demographic profile of patient with schizophrenia and depression

Aim: To study and explore the socio-demographic profile of patients with schizophrenia and depression. Materials and Methods: Consecutively, 100 schizophrenia patients and 100 depression patients attending psychiatry department were included in the study. The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) - 10 criteria were used for diagnosis and these patients were assessed by self-developed socio demographic proforma. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS, version 17 software. Chi-square tests were done for comparison of the variables between the two groups. Results: Two groups of patients with schizophrenia and depression have differed on variables like age, gender, marital status, education, occupation, duration of illness, family history of psychiatric illness, and patient income. These groups did not differ on other socio-demographic variables like, urban/rural distribution, type of family, and religion. Conclusion: The study finds significant difference in demographic variables in schizophrenia and depressive disorder

PrivacyAlert: A Dataset for Image Privacy Prediction

Image privacy issues have become an important challenge as millions of images are being shared on social networking sites every day. Often due to users' lack of privacy awareness and social pressure, users' posted images reveal sensitive information and may be easily used to their detriment. To address these issues, several recent studies have proposed machine learning models to automatically identify whether an image contains private information. However, progress on this important task has been hampered by the absence of reliable, publicly available, up-to-date datasets. To this end, we introduce PrivacyAlert, a dataset developed from recent images extracted from Flickr and annotated with privacy labels (private or public). Our data collection process is based on state-of-the-art privacy taxonomy and captures a comprehensive set of image types of various sensitivity. We perform a comprehensive analysis of our dataset and report image privacy prediction results using classic and deep learning models to set the ground for future studies. Our dataset is publicly available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6406870

Determinants of obsessive compulsive disorder

Background: The family has a significant role both in the genesis and prognosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Early identification, treatment and prevention of relapse in patients with OCD have important therapeutic and psychosocial implications. Hence, to study and determine family factors like high expressed emotion (EE) and family dysfunction are essential. These two factors play a significant role in the relapse and course of OCD. Aim: The aim was to study the relationship between family function, EE and OCD. Materials and Methods: The sample included 30 patients who were diagnosed with OCD using International Classification of Diseases-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research criteria. Yale-Brown obsessive compulsive scale was used to assess the severity of OCD. EE was assessed in cases using Family Emotional Involvement and Criticism Scale and family function was assessed in cases using the family interaction pattern scale (FIPS). Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Packages for Social Science. Patient and caregivers of the patients were assessed on self-developed socio-demographic proforma. Pearson co-relation co-efficient test was used to study the correlation between OCD, high EE and family dysfunction. Results: The result showed that there are significant correlations between high EE, family dysfunction and OCD. The Pearson correlation co-efficient between OCD and EE shows a significant correlation between the high EE of the caregiver and OCD with P < 0.01. The Pearson correlation co-efficient between OCD and Family Interaction Pattern Scale shows a significant correlation between the family dysfunction of the caregiver and OCD. Conclusion: Impaired family function and high EE in caregivers associated with OCD. Thus clinical interventions may improve the functional abilities of the caregivers

Family functioning in patients with obsessive compulsive disorder: A case - control study

Background: Psychological disorders can have a direct impact on family functioning. Family dysfunction is an indirect factor leading to the relapse of psychological disorders. Literature on family dysfunction in anxiety disorder is limited. Role of family and its functioning in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may help in better understanding of the role of social factors in OCD. Aim: The aim was to compare family functions in patients with OCD and compare with controls. Materials and Methods: The sample included 30 cases and 30 age and sex-matched controls. The patients were diagnosed as having OCD using ICD-10 DCR criteria. Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale was used to assess the severity of OCD among patients. General Health Questionnaire was used as screening instruments for psychiatric disorder among the control population. Family function was assessed in cases and control using the Family Interaction Patterns Schedule (FIPS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Obsessive compulsive disorder patients in comparison controls had significantly increased total FIPS score (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Families with OCD are more significantly impaired in multiple domains of family dynamics than families without member suffering from OCD. It is, therefore, essential that family-based structure effective assessment be sought in the psychosocial management of OCD