A novel Boolean kernels family for categorical data

Kernel based classifiers, such as SVM, are considered state-of-the-art algorithms and are widely used on many classification tasks. However, this kind of methods are hardly interpretable and for this reason they are often considered as black-box models. In this paper, we propose a new family of Boolean kernels for categorical data where features correspond to propositional formulas applied to the input variables. The idea is to create human-readable features to ease the extraction of interpretation rules directly from the embedding space. Experiments on artificial and benchmark datasets show the effectiveness of the proposed family of kernels with respect to established ones, such as RBF, in terms of classification accuracy

Hierarchical factor structure of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale short form (IUS-12) in the Italian version

Despite widespread use, few translations are available for the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale short form (IUS-12) as well as limited research on its psychometric properties in Italy. Moreover, recent evidence has suggested a multifaceted hierarchical structure for this scale. We compared the two-factor model to second-order and bi-factor models, in which a General IU factor was posited with two more narrow factors: Prospective IU and Inhibitory IU. Models were tested on a pooled dataset of students (N = 609) taking the IUS-12 alone or with other IUS-27 items. The bi-factor model fitted the sample data better than alternative models. The general factor accounted for 80% of the item variance. Presentation mode did not impact scalar invariance. Convergent validity with neuroticism, need for closure, and the uncertainty response scale was high for the total score. As such, scoring the IUS-12 total score is recommended in clinical research and assessmen

IL23R, NOD2/CARD15, ATG16L1 and PHOX2B polymorphisms in a group of patients with Crohn's disease and correlation with sub-phenotypes

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The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ). Development and preliminary psychometric properties of an instrument for measuring early relational trauma

Research on the etiology of adult psychopathology and its relationship with childhood trauma has focused primarily on specific forms of maltreatment. This study developed an instrument for the assessment of childhood and adolescence trauma that would aid in identifying the role of co-occurring childhood stressors and chronic adverse conditions. The Complex Trauma Questionnaire (ComplexTQ), in both clinician and self-report versions, is a measure for the assessment of multi-type maltreatment: physical, psychological, and sexual abuse; physical and emotional neglect as well as other traumatic experiences, such rejection, role reversal, witnessing domestic violence, separations, and losses. The four-point Likert scale allows to specifically indicate with which caregiver the traumatic experience has occurred. A total of 229 participants, a sample of 79 nonclinical and that of 150 high-risk and clinical participants, were assessed with the ComplexTQ clinician version applied to Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) transcripts.Initial analyses indicate acceptable inter-rater reliability. A good fit to a 6-factor model regarding the experience with the mother and to a 5-factor model with the experience with the father was obtained; the internal consistency of factors derived was good. Convergent validity was provided with the AAI scales. ComplexTQ factors discriminated normative from high-risk and clinical samples. The findings suggest a promising, reliable, and valid measurement of early relational trauma that is reported; furthermore, it is easy to complete and is useful for both research and clinical practice

Dealing with the aftermath of mass disasters. A field study on the application of EMDR integrative group treatment protocol with child survivors of the 2016 Italy earthquakes

This study explored the effects of the EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) on child survivors of the earthquakes that struck Umbria, a region of central Italy, on August 24th and on October 26th 2016. Three hundred and thirty-two children from the town of Norcia and nearby severely disrupted villages received 3 cycles of EMDR-IGTP. The Emotion Thermometers (ET-5) and the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (CRIES-13) were administered before (T0) and about 1 week after the conclusion of the third cycle (T3) of EMDR-IGTP. At T3, older children showed a reduction of distress and anger, whereas younger children reported an increase on these domains; moreover, older children reported a greater reduction of anxiety than younger ones. A greater reduction of distress, anxiety, and need for help was evidenced in females, whereas a greater improvement in depressive symptoms was evidenced in males. The effects of the EMDR-IGTP treatment on post-traumatic symptoms were particularly evident in older children, compared to younger ones, and marginally greater in females than in males; moreover, a greater improvement was found in children who had received a timelier intervention, than in those who received delayed treatment. These results provide further evidence for the utility of EMDR-IGTP in dealing with the extensive need for mental health services in mass disaster contexts. Also, these data highlight the importance of providing EMDR-IGTP in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, to contribute significantly in restoring adaptive psychological functioning in children, especially in older ones

A New Paradigm For Studying The Economic And Behavioral Consequences Of Framing Health-Related Decisions

Traditional attribute framing effects occur when the same object is evaluated differently depending on whether a particular attribute is labeled or framed in positive or negative terms.  For example, in one of our earlier studies, “80% lean ground beef” was evaluated more favorably and was “worth” 8 cents more per pound than “20% fat ground beef.”  In the present study of health-related judgments and decisions, attribute framing effects were extended to situations where consumers had to infer framing valence depending on whether one’s health status was described in comparison to a lower standard or a higher standard of reference.  For example, a person’s health status was rated higher when the same level of vitamin intake was stated in terms of its distance above an established low-protection level compared to when it was stated in terms of its distance below an established high-protection level

VIS,VALUTAZIONE DI IMPATTO SULLA SALUTE: UNA PROCEDURA MULTIDISCIPLINARE A SUPPORTO DELLE DECISIONI IN SANITA\u27 PUBBLICA

XNELL\u27INTERVENTO DI SIGNORELLI E COLLABORATORI SULLA VALUTAZIONE D\u27IMPATTO SANITARIO (VIS) NEI PROCESSI DECISIONALI ABBIAMO TROVATO DIVERSI ELEMENTI CHE RITENIAMO UTILI ALL\u27AVANZAMENTO DELLA DISCUSSIONE E ALCUNI CHE CI PARE RICHIEDANO QUALCHE PRECISAZIONE

Are social support and coping styles differently associated with adjustment to cancer in early and advanced stages?

Background: Many people experience cancer as a chronic disease followed by adaptation to a new reality. Adjustment to cancer is a continuous process that follows the progression of the disease. Aims: We aimed to support the claim that patients in different stages of cancer develop different adjustment patterns, and that the stage of the disease modifies the interrelationships among social support, coping styles, and quality of life. We also hypothesized that greater perceived social support influence more adaptive coping strategies, which mediate the relationship between social support and adjustment, differently in the early and advanced stage of cancer. Methods. One-hundred-two consecutive cancer patients were recruited. Measures. We administered the Social Provision Scale, the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer, the Brief-COPE, and the SF-12 health survey. Results. No differences emerged in adjustment to cancer, coping relate variables and quality of life between stage III and stage IV patients. Subsequent analyses revealed that the stage of the disease moderated the relationships between fatalism and fighting spirit and those between physical health and both avoidance and problem-solving. Regardless of the stage of illness, positive thinking mediated between social support and fighting spirit. Conclusion. Although the average adjustment pattern was the same for early-stage and advanced patients, adjustment processes were different according to cancer stage. The results confirm that social support and disease stage are important for adjustment to cancer. Favouring acceptance, positive reframing, and humour, social support helped patients to be more determined in fighting the disease and contrasted helpless-hopelessness and anxious preoccupation