Fuzzy functions: a fuzzy extension of the category SET and some related categories

[EN] In research Works where fuzzy sets are used, mostly certain usual functions are taken as morphisms. On the other hand, the aim of this paper is to fuzzify the concept of a function itself. Namely, a certain class of L-relations F : X x Y -> L is distinguished which could be considered as fuzzy functions from an L-valued set (X,Ex) to an L-valued set (Y,Ey). We study basic properties of these functions, consider some properties of the corresponding category of L-valued sets and fuzzy functions as well as briefly describe some categories related to algebra and topology with fuzzy functions in the role of morphisms.Höhle, U.; Porst, H.; Sostak, AP. (2000). Fuzzy functions: a fuzzy extension of the category SET and some related categories. Applied General Topology. 1(1):115-127. doi:10.4995/agt.2000.3028.SWORD1151271

Creating an EdD Structure, Program and Process Fulfilling the Needs of Doctoral Candidates and the Communities They Will Serve: Applying Lessons Learned from the Redesign of a Principal Preparation Program

This chapter describes the program redesign, development and essential components of Loyola University Chicago’s EdD principal preparation program for the Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC) providing a pipeline of candidates to be transformational principals within the Chicago Public Schools. This redesigned EdD focuses on creating communities of positive practice comprised of scholar- practitioners who create disciplines of inquiry that positively impact student, faculty, parent, and community outcomes while contributing to the knowledge base of preparing future educational leaders. In its third year of implementation with 30 candidates in the program, lessons learned from this program redesign will be detailed. Using the foundational principles from this new program redesign process, in conjunction with dissertation completion and graduate outcome data from Loyola’s traditional EdD program, this article will explore next steps in the EdD program development process within the reality of rising expectations and continuous legislative change within the state of Illinois

A fuzzification of the category of M-valued L-topological spaces

[EN] A fuzzy category is a certain superstructure over an ordinary category in which ”potential” objects and ”potential” morphisms could be such to a certain degree. The aim of this paper is to introduce a fuzzy category FTOP(L,M) extending the category TOP(L,M) of M-valued L- topological spaces which in its turn is an extension of the category TOP(L) of L-fuzzy topological spaces in Kubiak-Sostak’s sense. Basic properties of the fuzzy category FTOP(L,M) and its objects are studied.Kubiak, T.; Sostak, AP. (2004). A fuzzification of the category of M-valued L-topological spaces. Applied General Topology. 5(2):137-154. doi:10.4995/agt.2004.1965.SWORD1371545

Headache in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for primary headaches in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Headache was classified in 75 patients with JME using a questionnaire, and its prevalence was correlated with the literature on the general population and clinical data. Headache was present in 47 patients. Thirty-one had migraine [20 migraine without aura (MO), 11 migraine with aura (MA)]. Fourteen patients with migraine had tension-type headache (TTH) in addition. Sixteen had only TTH. Comparison with the general population revealed a significantly higher prevalence of migraine (RR 4.4), MO (3.6), MA (7.3) and TTH (3.4) in JME. Risk factors for migraine and MO were female gender and for MA family history of migraine in first-degree relatives. Migraine and MA were associated with fairly controlled generalized tonic clonic seizures, MO with absences. Together with its strong genetic background, JME appears to be an attractive homogenous subtype of epilepsy for genetic research on migraine

Anxiety disorders in headache patients in a specialised clinic: prevalence and symptoms in comparison to patients in a general neurological clinic

Data from several studies indicate an association of headache with anxiety disorders. In this study, we assessed and differentiated anxiety disorders in 100 headache patients by using the PSWQ (Penn State Worry Questionnaire) screening tool for generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and the ACQ (Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire) and BSQ (Body Sensation Questionnaire) for panic disorder (PD). Control groups were constructed: (1) on the basis of epidemiological studies on PD and GAD in the general population and (2) by including neurological patients. 37.0% of headache patients had a GAD. 27% of headache patients met the score for PD in the BSQ, 4.0% in the ACQ. Significant results were obtained in comparison to the general population (p < 0.001) and with regard to GAD in comparison with a sample of neurological patients (p < 0.005). The BSQ significantly correlated with the number of medication days (p < 0.005). The results confirm the increased prevalence of GAD in headache patients. PD seems to increase the risk of medication overuse

Headache in patients with a meningioma correlates with a bone-invasive growth pattern but not with cytokine expression

We included 58 patients with meningioma in a prospective study to analyse the prevalence of and risk factors for different types of meningioma-associated headache. Twenty-three patients (40%) had meningioma-associated headache. Of these, the pain was migraine-like in five (22%) and tension-type headache (TTH)-like in 13 (57%). Sixteen of 21 (76%) experienced relief of pain intensity of at least 50% after 18-24 months. Univariate analysis revealed bone-invasive growth pattern (P = 0.007) as a risk factor for headache and intake of antiepileptic drugs (P = 0.04) or large surrounding oedema (P = 0.04) as possible protective parameters. For migraine-like headache, risk factors were a positive history of migraine (P = 0.009) and bone-invasive growth pattern (P = 0.046) and, for TTH-like headache, only bone-invasive growth pattern (P = 0.009). Binary logistic regression analysis added to assess predictability and interaction effects could not identify a single factor predicting the occurrence of headache in the presence of a meningioma (correct prediction in 74% by a model consisting of bone-invasive growth pattern, history of head surgery, intake of antiepileptic drugs, temporal tumour location and moderate and large surrounding oedema). Analysis of 38 tumour specimens could not confirm the hypothesis that the occurrence of headache correlates with the expression magnitude of signal substances known to be present in meningiomas [stroma cell-derived factor 1, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor A] or thought to be relevant to headache/pain pathophysiology [prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 1, NOS2A, NOS3, transforming growth factor-alpha, tumour necrosis factor, tachykinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide]. The affection of bone integrity and the expression of molecules thought to be relevant to headache pathophysiology might be important for meningioma-associated headache in predisposed individuals