Intelligent approach of score-based artificial fish swarm algorithm (SAFSA) for Parkinson's disease diagnosis

PurposeConventional diagnostic techniques, on the other hand, may be prone to subjectivity since they depend on assessment of motions that are often subtle to individual eyes and hence hard to classify, potentially resulting in misdiagnosis. Meanwhile, early nonmotor signs of Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be mild and may be due to variety of other conditions. As a result, these signs are usually ignored, making early PD diagnosis difficult. Machine learning approaches for PD classification and healthy controls or individuals with similar medical symptoms have been introduced to solve these problems and to enhance the diagnostic and assessment processes of PD (like, movement disorders or other Parkinsonian syndromes).Design/methodology/approachMedical observations and evaluation of medical symptoms, including characterization of a wide range of motor indications, are commonly used to diagnose PD. The quantity of the data being processed has grown in the last five years; feature selection has become a prerequisite before any classification. This study introduces a feature selection method based on the score-based artificial fish swarm algorithm (SAFSA) to overcome this issue.FindingsThis study adds to the accuracy of PD identification by reducing the amount of chosen vocal features while to use the most recent and largest publicly accessible database. Feature subset selection in PD detection techniques starts by eliminating features that are not relevant or redundant. According to a few objective functions, features subset chosen should provide the best performance.Research limitations/implicationsIn many situations, this is an Nondeterministic Polynomial Time (NP-Hard) issue. This method enhances the PD detection rate by selecting the most essential features from the database. To begin, the data set's dimensionality is reduced using Singular Value Decomposition dimensionality technique. Next, Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) for feature selection; the weight value is a vital parameter for finding the best features in PD classification.Originality/valuePD classification is done by using ensemble learning classification approaches such as hybrid classifier of fuzzy K-nearest neighbor, kernel support vector machines, fuzzy convolutional neural network and random forest. The suggested classifiers are trained using data from UCI ML repository, and their results are verified using leave-one-person-out cross validation. The measures employed to assess the classifier efficiency include accuracy, F-measure, Matthews correlation coefficient.

Comparing the Ability of MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF Validity Scales to Detect Feigning: A Meta-Analysis

Several meta-analyses of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) have examined these instruments’ ability to detect symptom exaggeration or feigning. However, limited research has directly compared whether the scales across these two instruments are equally effective. This study used a moderated meta-analysis to compare 109 MMPI-2 and 41 MMPI-2-RF feigning studies, 83 (56.46%) of which were not included in previous meta-analyses. Although there were differences between the two test versions, with most MMPI-2 validity scales generating larger effect sizes than the corresponding MMPI-2-RF scales, these differences were not significant after controlling for study design and type of symptoms being feigned. Additional analyses showed that the F and Fp-r scales generated the largest effect sizes in identifying feigned psychiatric symptoms, while the FBS and RBS were better at detecting exaggerated medical symptoms. The findings indicate that the MMPI-2 validity scales and their MMPI-2-RF counterparts were similarly effective in differentiating genuine responders from those exaggerating or feigning psychiatric and medical symptoms. These results provide reassurance for the use of both the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF in settings where symptom exaggeration or feigning is likely. Findings are discussed in the context of the recently released MMPI-3.

Why do people consent to receiving SARS-CoV2 vaccinations? A Representative Survey in Germany

Objective: to answer the question: Why do people consent to being vaccinated with novel vaccines against SARS-CoV2? Design: Representative survey Setting: Online panel Participants: 1032 respondents of the general German population Method: a representative survey among German citizens in November/December 2021 which resulted in 1032 complete responses on vaccination status, socio-demographic parameters and opinions about the COVID-19 situation. Results: Almost 83% of the respondents were vaccinated. The major motivation was fear of medical consequences of an infection and the wish to lead a normal life again. The major motivation to be not vaccinated was the fear of side effects and skepticism about long-term effectiveness and safety. Sixteen percent of vaccinated respondents reported some serious side effect, while more than 30% reported health improvements, mostly due to the relief of psychological stress and social reintegration. We also validated a “Corona Orthodoxy Score – COS” consisting of 7 items reflecting opinions on Covid-19. The scale is reliable (alpha = 0.76) and unidimensional. The COS was a highly significant predictor of vaccination status and readiness to be vaccinated in a multivariable logistic regression model. Those who were vaccinated were more likely to live in smaller households (OR = 0.82, p=0.024), had a higher income (OR = 1.27, p<0.001), a higher COS score (OR 1.4, p<0.0001) and utilized less alternative media (OR = 0.44, p=0.0024) and scientific publications (OR=0.42, p=0.011) as information sources. Conclusions: The major motives for being vaccinated are fear of medical symptoms and the wish to lead a normal life. Those not wanting to be vaccinated cite a lack of knowledge regarding long-term safety and side effects as reasons. This can likely only be overcome by careful and active long-term efficacy and safety monitoring.

“And Her Heart Fluttered”: The Psychopathology of Desire in the Argonautika

<p>This thesis investigates the way that Apollonios constructs Medea’s psyche and body in response to contemporary medical and philosophical influences in order to portray realistically the way that erōs manifests itself in Medea as both sickness and mental illness. Apollonios delves into Medea’s psyche and exposes how it functions in moments of intense desire, pain, indecision and introspection while under the powerful sways of erōs. Medea’s erōs manifests as erratic and dangerous behaviour and crippling indecision, the analysis of which is done in light of Chrusippos’ discussion of Euripides’ Medea’s akrasia. Apollonios draws from Euripides’ version to depict Medea in a different stage of her life, making a similar life-altering decision: whether or not to help Jason and betray her family or stay at home and watch him die. Apollonios makes the audience sympathize with Medea by showing her as a victim of destructive erōs and by exhibiting her emotional suffering. He heightens the degree that the internal is depicted and the very fact that he does internalize Medea shows an interest in her side of the story. It humanizes her to see her motivations, her fears, her desires and her moral dilemmas. Apollonios twists the image of Medea that an audience may expect to see by focusing, in Book 3 at least, almost entirely on her maidenhood and her struggle between exercising maidenly shame and giving in to the temptation of Jason. Apollonios makes the audience understand and sympathize with Medea by delving into the workings of her psyche and explaining her pleasure and pain, and most importantly, explaining why she cannot act rationally. erōs also manifests itself inside Medea and in turn this is expressed in Medea’s outward appearance as medical symptoms, like those of fever. In addition, by incorporating contemporary medical discoveries like the nervous system Apollonios is able to utilize the new conceptions of sense-perception to realistically show the way that destructive emotions manifest themselves as perceivable physical pain. Apollonios draws on philosophical and medical influences to heighten the realism of Medea’s physical and psychological pain and pleasure while simultaneously providing a forceful warning of the destructiveness of erōs’ nature.</p>

“And Her Heart Fluttered”: The Psychopathology of Desire in the Argonautika

<p>This thesis investigates the way that Apollonios constructs Medea’s psyche and body in response to contemporary medical and philosophical influences in order to portray realistically the way that erōs manifests itself in Medea as both sickness and mental illness. Apollonios delves into Medea’s psyche and exposes how it functions in moments of intense desire, pain, indecision and introspection while under the powerful sways of erōs. Medea’s erōs manifests as erratic and dangerous behaviour and crippling indecision, the analysis of which is done in light of Chrusippos’ discussion of Euripides’ Medea’s akrasia. Apollonios draws from Euripides’ version to depict Medea in a different stage of her life, making a similar life-altering decision: whether or not to help Jason and betray her family or stay at home and watch him die. Apollonios makes the audience sympathize with Medea by showing her as a victim of destructive erōs and by exhibiting her emotional suffering. He heightens the degree that the internal is depicted and the very fact that he does internalize Medea shows an interest in her side of the story. It humanizes her to see her motivations, her fears, her desires and her moral dilemmas. Apollonios twists the image of Medea that an audience may expect to see by focusing, in Book 3 at least, almost entirely on her maidenhood and her struggle between exercising maidenly shame and giving in to the temptation of Jason. Apollonios makes the audience understand and sympathize with Medea by delving into the workings of her psyche and explaining her pleasure and pain, and most importantly, explaining why she cannot act rationally. erōs also manifests itself inside Medea and in turn this is expressed in Medea’s outward appearance as medical symptoms, like those of fever. In addition, by incorporating contemporary medical discoveries like the nervous system Apollonios is able to utilize the new conceptions of sense-perception to realistically show the way that destructive emotions manifest themselves as perceivable physical pain. Apollonios draws on philosophical and medical influences to heighten the realism of Medea’s physical and psychological pain and pleasure while simultaneously providing a forceful warning of the destructiveness of erōs’ nature.</p>

Home environment and noise disturbance in a national sample of multi-family buildings in Sweden-associations with medical symptoms

Background Poor acoustic conditions at home can have negative health impact. The aim was to investigate home environment factors and medical symptoms associated with noise disturbance. Methods All adults (≥18 y) registered in selected apartments in Sweden were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey including medical questions and personal factors. Totally 5775 adults participated (response rate 46%). Information on home environment was obtained through an indoor environment questionnaire. Two-level logistic regression models (individual, municipality) were performed to estimate associations. Results Totally 11.9% reported noise disturbance in general at home. Noise disturbance from voice/radio/TV/music/similar sounds from neighbours (13.2%), scraping sound/footsteps/thumping from neighbours (16.5%) and road traffic (16.1%) were common. Younger age and smoking were related to more noise disturbance and more medical symptoms. Noise disturbance was related to tiredness, headache and difficulty concentrating (OR = 1.70–8.19). Renting the apartment (OR = 2.53) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.37) were related to more noise disturbance in general. Living in newer buildings (constructed from 1986 to 2005) was related to less noise disturbance in general (OR = 0.40–0.59). A warmer climate (OR = 1.95), higher municipality population density (OR = 1.24), a longer living time (OR = 1.34), construction year (1961–1975) (OR = 2.42), renting (OR = 1.80–2.32), living above ground floor (OR = 1.45) and having a bathroom fan (OR = 1.84) were associated with increased noise disturbance from neighbours. Factors associated with increased noise disturbance from installations or ventilation/fans/heat pumps included a warmer climate, higher municipality population density, construction year (1961–1995), renting and any mechanical ventilation. Higher municipality population density, construction year (especially 1961–1985) and renting were associated with more noise disturbance from traffic (OR = 1.77–3.92). Renting the apartment (OR = 1.73) and living above ground floor (OR = 1.60) were related to more severe traffic noise disturbances. Noise disturbance in general was partly a mediator of the effects of old buildings, renting the apartment and lack of mechanical ventilation on medical symptoms (% of total effect mediated by noise disturbance: 19–44.8%). Conclusions Noise disturbance can be associated medical symptoms. Younger age, smoking, a warmer climate, higher municipality population density and different building factors (e.g. renting the apartment, construction period 1961–1985) can be associated with noise disturbance.

AN INSIGHT INTO SICK BUILDING SYNDROME THROUGH AYURVEDA – A REVIEW ARTICLE

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the causes, consequences, and solutions for sick building syndrome (SBS). The approach taken is to evaluate and analyse the causes and symptoms of SBS from various literature and to give it a possible Ayurvedic correlation. The review’s findings reveal the effects of SBS in terms of the variety of medical symptoms experienced, personnel or human resource concerns, and economic impacts. The benefit of the paper is that it provides a comprehensive understanding of SBS from both modern and Ayurvedic perspectives by providing full information on its causation, preventive strategies, and symptomatic management using Ayurvedic principles. Keywords: Sick building syndrome, consequences, medical symptoms, ayurvedic principles

Genetic Findings as the Potential Basis of Personalized Pharmacotherapy in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic disorder often characterized by autism or autistic-like behavior. Most cases are associated with haploinsufficiency of the SHANK3 gene resulting from deletion of the gene at 22q13.3 or from a pathogenic variant in the gene. Treatment of PMS often targets SHANK3, yet deletion size varies from < 50kb to > 9Mb, potentially encompassing dozens of genes and disrupting regulatory elements altering gene expression, inferring the potential for multiple therapeutic targets. Repurposed drugs have been used in clinical trials investigating therapies for PMS: insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for its effect on social and aberrant behaviors, intranasal insulin for improvements in cognitive and social ability, and lithium for reversing regression and stabilizing behavior. The pharmacogenomics of PMS is complicated by the CYP2D6 enzyme which metabolizes antidepressants and antipsychotics often used for treatment. The gene coding for CYP2D6 maps to 22q13.2 and is lost in individuals with deletions larger than 8Mb. Because PMS has diverse neurological and medical symptoms, many concurrent medications may be prescribed, increasing the risk for adverse drug reactions. At present, there is no single best treatment for PMS. Approaches to therapy are necessarily complex and must target variable behavioral and physical symptoms of PMS.