Sampled Policy Gradient for Learning to Play the Game Agar.io

In this paper, a new offline actor-critic learning algorithm is introduced: Sampled Policy Gradient (SPG). SPG samples in the action space to calculate an approximated policy gradient by using the critic to evaluate the samples. This sampling allows SPG to search the action-Q-value space more globally than deterministic policy gradient (DPG), enabling it to theoretically avoid more local optima. SPG is compared to Q-learning and the actor-critic algorithms CACLA and DPG in a pellet collection task and a self play environment in the game Agar.io. The online game Agar.io has become massively popular on the internet due to intuitive game design and the ability to instantly compete against players around the world. From the point of view of artificial intelligence this game is also very intriguing: The game has a continuous input and action space and allows to have diverse agents with complex strategies compete against each other. The experimental results show that Q-Learning and CACLA outperform a pre-programmed greedy bot in the pellet collection task, but all algorithms fail to outperform this bot in a fighting scenario. The SPG algorithm is analyzed to have great extendability through offline exploration and it matches DPG in performance even in its basic form without extensive sampling

A Lifestyle Modification Program for Community Dwelling Adults with Obesity

Obesity is significantly rising among adults in the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC, 2009e), estimates that obesity increased by 15% to 32.9% within a 20 year span (1985 – 2008). Clinical obesity is defined as having a BMI 30 and over; it is correlated with secondary complications that include hypertension, type II diabetes, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, cerebral vascular accidents, sleep apnea, and respiratory illnesses (CDC, 2009d; World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Beyond the many health consequences caused by obesity, there are also psychosocial, genetic, and discriminatory aspects of this disease that negatively impact the quality of life and participation in occupations (Clark, Reingold, & Salles-Jordan, 2006). Occupational therapists can provide education and intervention focusing on lifestyle modification to increase participation in occupations, and improve quality of life (Blanchard, 2006; Clark, et al. 2006). The CDC (2009g) describes that 10-minute bouts of moderate to vigorous intensity in the form of meaningful activities such as lawn mowing, dancing, or biking to the store is adequate for raising heart rates and starting the path to physical fitness. This approach fits well with the role of occupational therapy. A comprehensive literature review was conducted on obesity and the impact it has on activities of daily living. Key areas explored include medications, genetics, psychological impacts and discrimination, impact on activities of daily living, sedentary lifestyles, impact of socio-economic status on health, dietary modifications, as well as effective holistic intervention strategies. The literature indicated a need for a lifestyle modification program for community dwelling adults who are overweight or obese. The Step It Up to A Better You is a lifestyle modification program consisting of one-hour educational sessions for 12-weeks. The overall goal is to gain a healthy lifestyle with enhanced quality of life and ability to participate in one’s meaningful daily activities. The sessions include educational resources on motivation, nutrition, physical activity, exploring community resources, psychosocial well-being, and a lifestyle maintenance plan

School Nurses' Experiences of Health Promotion for School-Age Asylum Seekers

The number of school-age asylum seekers and refugees worldwide is increasing. Health promotion provided by school nurses can be crucial for the well-being of young asylum seekers, yet research on these nurses' experiences is limited. This qualitative study aims to describe school nurses' experiences of providing health promotion to school-age asylum seekers. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 school nurses, and inductive content analysis was then used. The results were grouped under the following themes: (1) difficulties in providing health services to school-age asylum seekers, (2) considering the vulnerable circumstances of asylum seekers, (3) the importance of family-centered health promotion, and (4) the importance of time management. School nurses face challenges that stem from individual asylum seekers' unique circumstances, nursing competency, and the school health care system. To deepen the existing knowledge, further research is needed from the perspective of asylum seekers.</p

The transcription factor Sox5 modulates Sox10 function during melanocyte development

The transcription factor Sox5 has previously been shown in chicken to be expressed in early neural crest cells and neural crest-derived peripheral glia. Here, we show in mouse that Sox5 expression also continues after neural crest specification in the melanocyte lineage. Despite its continued expression, Sox5 has little impact on melanocyte development on its own as generation of melanoblasts and melanocytes is unaltered in Sox5-deficient mice. Loss of Sox5, however, partially rescued the strongly reduced melanoblast generation and marker gene expression in Sox10 heterozygous mice arguing that Sox5 functions in the melanocyte lineage by modulating Sox10 activity. This modulatory activity involved Sox5 binding and recruitment of CtBP2 and HDAC1 to the regulatory regions of melanocytic Sox10 target genes and direct inhibition of Sox10-dependent promoter activation. Both binding site competition and recruitment of corepressors thus help Sox5 to modulate the activity of Sox10 in the melanocyte lineage

Alakoulun opettajien keinot käsitellä oppilaiden välisiä vertaissuhdehaasteita

Tiivistelmä. Tässä tutkimuksessa tarkastellaan opettajien keinoja käsitellä oppilaiden välisiä vertaissuhdehaasteita. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selvittää, mitä keinoja opettajat käyttävät puuttuessaan oppilaiden keskinäisiin haasteisiin. Tutkimus tarkastelee myös opettajien kokemuksia keinojen riittävyyteen vaikuttavista tekijöistä. Tutkimuksessa selvitetään, mitkä tekijät vahvistavat ja mitkä puolestaan heikentävät opettajien kokemusta keinojen riittävyydestä. Tämä tutkimus tarkastelee vertaissuhdehaasteita kriittisen kiusaamistutkimuksen näkökulmasta. Kriittinen kiusaamistutkimus kritisoi vallalla olevaa perinteistä kiusaamistutkimusta, joka tarkastelee kiusaamista yksilökeskeisestä näkökulmasta. Kriittisessä kiusaamistutkimuksessa huomioidaan sosiaalisten, yhteiskunnallisten ja institutionaalisten tekijöiden vaikutus kiusaamisilmiön syntymisen taustalla. Tutkimus toteutettiin laadullisena tutkimuksena, jonka aineistoa varten haastatellaan neljää alakoulussa työskentelevää opettajaa. Haastattelut toteutetaan teemahaastatteluina. Aineiston analyysi toteutetaan aineistolähtöisenä sisällönanalyysina. Tutkimuksen tulosten mukaan alakoulun opettajat käsittelevät oppilaiden välisiä vertaissuhdehaasteita monilla tavoilla. Vertaissuhdehaasteita ennaltaehkäistään muun muassa tunne- ja vuorovaikutustaitoja tukemalla sekä yhteisiä sääntöjä ja sopimuksia laatimalla. Ennaltaehkäisevistä toimista huolimatta vertaissuhdehaasteita ilmenee, ja tällöin opettajat käsittelevät tilanteita muun muassa keskustelun, ratkaisukeskeisen lähestymistavan ja erilaisten toimintamallien avulla. Opettajien keinojen riittävyyttä käsitellä vertaissuhdehaasteita vahvistavat muun muassa kokemus, sujuva yhteistyö huoltajien kanssa, kollegoiden tuki ja oma asenne. Keinojen riittävyyttä puolestaan heikentävät heikko oppilaan tuntemus, ajan puute sekä sujumaton yhteistyö huoltajien kanssa. Myös koulun ulkopuolella syntyneet haasteet oppilaiden välillä haastavat opettajia kulkeutuessaan kouluun, sillä opettajien keinot puuttua koulun ulkopuolisiin tapahtumiin ovat rajalliset

Ethical issues related to the use of gerontechnology in older people care: A scoping review

Background:Demographic trends indicate growth of population aged 65 and older in Western countries. One of the greatest challenges is to provide high-quality care for all. Technological solutions designed for older people, gerontechnology, can somewhat balance the gap between resources and the increasing demand of healthcare services. However, there are also ethical issues in the use of gerontechnology that need to be pointed out.Purpose:To describe what ethical issues are related to the use of gerontechnology in the care of community-dwelling older people.Methods:A scoping review was performed to identify and analyse studies concerning ethical issues when using gerontechnology in the home care of older people. The literature search was limited to studies published after 1990 and addressed to the electronic databases CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane, Medic, IEEE Explore and Web of Science. The search was performed in July−August 2018. Data from empirical studies were analysed using thematic analysis.Ethical considerations:This scoping review was conducted in accordance with good scientific practice. The work of other researchers was respected and cited appropriately.Results:A total of 17 studies were identified. Two main themes were found. ‘Balancing between the benefits of using gerontechnology and the basic rights of older people’, consisted of the subthemes safety, privacy and autonomy. The other main theme, ‘Gerontechnology as a risk of insecurity for older people’, included the subthemes fear of losing human contact and concern and fear. Surveillance and monitoring technologies were mainly studied.Conclusion:These results suggest that there may be ethical issues related to the use of gerontechnology and they must therefore be taken into consideration when implementing technology in the care of community-dwelling older people.</div

Sosiaalisten taitojen edistäminen liikunnan avulla perusasteen alakoulun kontekstissa

Tiivistelmä. Tutkielman lähtökohtana on selvittää, kuinka koululiikunnan avulla voidaan edistää lasten sosiaalisten taitojen kehittymistä. Tässä tutkielmassa avataan koululiikuntaan ja sosiaalisiin taitoihin liittyviä käsitteitä laajasti sekä käsitellään erilaisia keinoja tukea lasten sosiaalisia taitoja. Työn yhtenä tavoitteena onkin löytää keinoja liikuntatunneille lasten sosiaalisten taitojen tukemiseksi. Tutkimuskysymyksemme kuuluu näin: Kuinka koululiikunnan avulla voidaan tukea sosiaalisten taitojen kehittymistä? Tässä kandidaatintutkielmassa keskitytään alakouluikäisten eli 7–12-vuotiaiden oppilaiden sosiaalisten taitojen tukemiseen. Tämä kandidaatintutkielma toteutetaan kuvailevana kirjallisuuskatsauksena. Tutkielmassa tutustutaan laajasti aihetta koskevaan kirjallisuuteen ja tutkimustietoon. Tutkielma osoittaa koululiikunnan olevan merkittävä väline lasten sosiaalisten taitojen tukemiseen. Kandidaatintutkielma tuo ilmi, ettei koululiikunta automaattisesti tue näiden taitojen kehittymistä, mutta koululiikunta oppiaineena tarjoaa oivalliset puitteet sosiaalisten taitojen kehittämiseen. Näitä puitteita hyödyntämällä voidaan systemaattisesti tukea oppilaiden sosiaalisten taitojen kehittymistä. Tutkielmassa käytettyjen lähteiden pohjalta voidaan tulla siihen tulokseen, että opettajan asenne ja motivaatio vaikuttavat siihen, kuinka oppilaat omaksuvat nämä taidot. Opettaja toimii tuntien aikana sosiaalisten taitojen käytön mallina oppilaille, ja näin ollen taidot peilautuvat myös oppilaiden toimintaan. Tutkielmasta käy ilmi, että yhteistoiminnallisella ja oppilaslähtöisellä opetuksella on merkittävä rooli sosiaalisten taitojen tukemisessa. Erityisesti yhteiseen tavoitteeseen tähtäävät pelit ja leikit auttavat oppilaiden sosiaalisten taitojen kehitystä. Myös vaihtuvat pari- ja ryhmäjaot tukevat sosiaalisten taitojen omaksumista. Lisäksi voidaan todeta, että sosiaalisista taidoista keskusteleminen ja niiden tarkoituksellinen harjoittelu tukevat sosiaalisten taitojen oppimista. Liikuntatuntien suunnittelun tueksi on saatavilla erilaisia valmiita sosiaalisten taitojen tukemiseen tarkoitettuja opetusohjelmia ja -materiaaleja, joita opettaja voi opetuksessaan hyödyntää. Koululiikunta tarjoaa väylän luontevaan yhdessäoloon sekä vuorovaikutussuhteiden luomiseen ja niiden syventämiseen

P-182: 24-hour ambulatory blood-pressure effects of valsartan + hydrochlorothiazide combinations compared with amlodipine in hypertensive patients at increased cardiovascular risk

In a randomised, double-blind trial, the effects on 24-hr ABP of the combination valsartan 160 mg od and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 or 12.5 mg during 24 weeks of therapy were compared with the effects of amlodipine 10 mg monotherapy (group A10) in 474 stage-II hypertensive patients with additional cardiovascular risk factors. After a two-week single-blind placebo run-in period, patients were randomised to receive valsartan 160 mg od or amlodipine 5 mg od. At Week 4, HCTZ 12.5 mg (group V160/HCTZ12.5) and 25 mg (group V160/HCTZ25) were added to the valsartan groups and in the A10 patients the amlodipine dose was force-titrated to 10 mg od. All treatments reduced BP as well as night-time and daytime BP levels from baseline. 24-hr SBP was reduced by 15.9 ±1.0 mmHg (least-squares mean change ±SE), 19.3 ±1.0 mmHg and 16.1 ±1.1 mmHg in the V160/HCTZ12.5, V160/HCTZ25 and A10 groups, respectively and 24-hr DBP was reduced by 9.3 ±0.6 mmHg, 11.4 ±0.6 mmHg and 9.6 ±0.7 mmHg in the three groups. The differences between the V160/HCTZ25 group and the A10 group were significant (p<0.05) for the changes in 24-hr systolic BP as well as for changes in daytime systolic BP and night-time diastolic BP. Control rates defined as ABPM ≤130/80 mmHg were: 48.4%, 60.8% and 50.9% in the V160/HCTZ12.5, V160/25 and A10 groups, respectively; the differences between the V160/HCTZ25 group and the other two treatment groups were significant at p<0.05. (See Figure) In conclusion, the fixed-dose combination of valsartan 160 mg + HCTZ 25 mg od is an attractive therapeutic option measured on the effects on 24-hr ABPM, night-time and daytime BP reduction and control rates in hypertensive patients at additional cardiovascular ris

Characterisation of a Coriolis flow meter for fuel consumption measurements in realistic drive cycle tests

When testing light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles on chassis dynamometers, as in the WLTP, or engines on engine test benches, as in the WHDC, it is required to measure the fuel consumption. In the preferable case, the measurement of the fuel consumption is carried out with suitable flow meters. These require high measurement accuracy in a wide flow range, independent of the fuel type, as the flow rate range is often very large and depends on the power range of the vehicle engines. Moreover, the fuel flow rate in the test cycles is very dynamically related to the loads. In the scope of the ongoing EMPIR Joint Research Project 20IND13 SAFEST the dynamic flow behaviour as well as the measurement accuracy of flow meters for different types of fuels are investigated. This paper presents first results from the realisation of dynamic flow profiles, and flow measurements with a Coriolis Flow Meter with different representative fuels in a wide density and viscosity range and a wide flow rate range at different fuel temperatures

Nurse managers’ perceptions of care environment supporting older people’s ability to function in nursing homes

Aim: To describe nurse managers' perceptions of the care environment in nursing homes and how the residents' ability to function may be improved. Background: The care environment, considered under physical, social and symbolic dimensions, can be used to maintain and enhance the residents' ability to function. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design based on focus groups (n = 4) was used. Fourteen nurse managers from six nursing homes in Southern Finland participated during 2014. Data were analysed using content analysis. Results: The physical environment enables self-management, by facilitating a cosy, home-like and aesthetically pleasing environment and by the design of internal structures and assistive devices. The social environment was described as enabling by providing both private and communal spaces, encouraging personal privacy and self-determination whilst supporting communal interaction and involvement. The symbolic environment was described as supporting a personal culture, care culture development and connecting the components of care perspectives in the community including nursing principles, recognizing and accepting variation in approaches to care. Conclusions: Development in the care environment requires more innovative approaches especially in the social and symbolic dimensions. Implications for nursing management: The results provide a framework for nurse managers for analysing and developing the care environment supporting residents' ability to function. </p