Past Experience Research Articles

Comparison of Iris dataset classification with Gaussian naïve Bayes and decision tree algorithms

In this study, we apply two classification algorithm methods, namely the Gaussian naïve Bayes (GNB) and the decision tree (DT) classifiers. The Gaussian naïve Bayes classifier is a probability-based classification model that predicts future probabilities based on past experiences. Whereas the decision tree classifier is based on a decision tree, a series of tests that are performed adaptively where the previous test affects the next test. Both of these methods are simulated on the Iris dataset where the dataset consists of three types of Iris: setosa, virginica, and versicolor. The data is divided into two parts, namely training and testing data, in which there are several features as information on flower characteristics. Furthermore, to evaluate the performance of the algorithms on both methods and determine the best algorithm for the dataset, we evaluate it using several metrics on the training and testing data for each method. Some of these metrics are recall, precision, F1-score, and accuracy where the higher the value, the better the algorithm's performance. The results show that the performance of the decision tree classifier algorithm is the most outperformed on the Iris dataset.

The psychophysiological salience of past experiences of discrimination.

This study sought to test whether a discrimination recall task would elicit a significant parasympathetic response in multiracial undergraduate women. The study also investigated whether parasympathetic responsivity to the discrimination recall would be similar or different from that elicited by a widely used stress paradigm-the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), and whether responses would differ for Black and White women. Multiracial undergraduate women (n = 67; Mage = 19.4 years; 32% White, 22% Black) completed the TSST and a discrimination recall task. Parasympathetic activity was assessed using high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV). Women exhibited significant HF-HRV responsivity to the discrimination recall and showed smaller average decreases in HF-HRV to the discrimination recall than the TSST. However, whereas White women exhibited decreased HF-HRV in response to both tasks, Black women showed increased HF-HRV for the discrimination recall but decreased HF-HRV for the TSST. Findings complement a growing body of research suggestive that experiences of discrimination are psychophysiologically salient. Additionally, discriminatory experiences may elicit distinctive patterns of HF-HRV responsivity compared to generic social stressors. Efforts to elucidate the unique role of discrimination-specific HF-HRV responsivity may be critical for delineating discrimination-health linkages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Fears, Beliefs and Practices of Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia regarding their Sexual Health during Pregnancy and after Birth

Background: A woman’s sexual life during pregnancy is subject to many physiological and psychological changes. In this regard, there are inconsistencies in some aspects, while some are yet to be explored. This study aimed to obtain a detailed account of the fears, beliefs and practices of pregnant women and their associated factors in Saudi Arabia regarding their sexual life during pregnancy and after birth. Methods: A convenience sample of pregnant women (n=439) attending antenatal clinics at purposefully selected hospitals completed a self-report questionnaire of her fears, beliefs and practices regarding her sexual life during pregnancy. This was a cross-sectional study performed by a team of researchers at King Khalid University Hospital from August 2021 to August 2022. Results The majority of the pregnant women recorded • A decrease in libido • That Kegel exercises improved sexual function • That vaginoplasty is important after vaginal delivery • Fear of dyspareunia, vaginal laxity, and changes in the sexual relationship • Dependence on unverified sources for information regarding female sexual issues. A large proportion of the participants • Thought that delivery-related vaginal laxity needed medical consultation • Thought that vaginal laxity was associated with episiotomy • Relied on traditional herbs for managing sexual health issues. Among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia, sexual health-related fears, attitudes and practices were associated with age, marital status and educational level, and participants relied on past experience and social media for information. Conclusion: Decreased libido and painful intercourse are common among pregnant women regardless of parity. Sexual health concerns and education should be part of antenatal care visits.

Assessing the performance of a radioactive waste repository over geological timescales: past experience and the way forward

The successful implementation of plans to develop a repository for radioactive waste in the United Kingdom will require an assessment of the ability of the facility to meet appropriate regulatory safety criteria at all stages during its construction, operation and after closure. As part of this assessment, an environmental safety case (ESC) will be presented and this will contain a collection of claims, arguments and evidence which collectively demonstrate that long-term safety can be achieved and maintained. Natural analogues (NA) can be helpful in demonstrating understanding of aspects of repository performance by, for example, providing evidence that certain materials can survive for long periods. Appropriate NAs can be critical to providing long-term practical demonstrations to support the theoretical and mathematical arguments of the ESC and they may have a significant role in the overall process understanding. As part of the ongoing repository development programme in the UK, an updated version of an existing catalogue of NA studies (focussed on the requirements of the ESC) has been produced and the background to NA studies in general, and to the catalogue in particular, are presented here. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Sustainable geological disposal and containment of radioactive waste collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/radioactive

The Current and Expected Pricing Markup as Derived from the Capital Asset Pricing Model and Tobin’s Q and Applied to the UK’s FTSE 100

Price markups and firms’ Tobin’s Q ratios are widely believed to have been increasing in the past several decades. Various models for the calculation of price markups have been developed, each relying on the historically held definition of the ratio of price to marginal cost; however, all of these have methodological drawbacks, and some of the results they have produced have been poorly reflective of the near past wider macroeconomic experience. This paper defines a new approach for the definition and measurement of markup pricing, and it also avoids some of the issues surrounding the marginal cost approaches by using the measure of economic rent and the capital asset pricing model. The results show limited markup pricing for the UK’s FTSE 100 companies (2018–2023), but that certain real estate, technology/media and financial services/equity investment firms have enjoyed higher price markup levels. An analysis of the business models of these firms is used to qualitatively propose explanations for such markups. This work offers formal proof that that the expected price markup is equal to Tobin’s Q and finds that the empiric market level of markup is near equivalent to the market Tobin’s Q; the differences between the markup and Tobin’s Q at the level of the firm are equally assessed. This work challenges the general consensus that price markups are above one and have been increasing; it may also aid policy makers with respect to taxation policy and regulatory measures, as well as the financial management of firms in decisions concerning capital deployment and portfolio management. The method merits expansion to wider data sets, as well as to those from outside of the UK.

Current Effect of Mother-Child Memory Talk on Emotion Regulation, Self-Esteem, and Memory

Children talking to their parents more frequently about past experiences tend to have higher emotion regulation skills and self-esteem in their future lives, which may lead to higher volume and richer emotional content in future memories. Previous research also indicated that self-esteem has a strong bond with emotion regulation skills. This study’s aim is to measure the mediator roles of emotion regulation difficulty and self-esteem on the relationship between childhood maternal reminiscing frequency and the volume and emotional content of the current memory experienced with the mother. Additionally, mediator roles of self-esteem in the connection between past maternal reminiscing and emotion regulation difficulty, and emotion regulation difficulty in the relationship between self-esteem and the current memory variables (i.e., total words, total emotion and unique emotion words) are examined. Participants (N=124, the age range was 22-39) filled out Rosenberg Self-Esteem, Emotion Regulation Difficulty, and Family Reminiscence Scales and wrote down one negatively-charged recent memory about their mothers. Path analysis revealed significant positive associations between past maternal reminiscing and self-esteem, emotion regulation difficulty, and total and unique emotion words in recent memory, and negative association between self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulty, supporting half of the mediation hypotheses. Results supported the notion that the frequency of parent-child reminiscing conversations in childhood is a parameter of child development since it can show its prospective effect via improving self-esteem and emotional functioning. Gender differences were not evident for current memory variables but more research on this issue is needed to reach more precise conclusions.

Health-related quality of life over chemotherapy course among individuals with early-stage breast cancer: the association of social determinants of health and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage.

This study aimed to examine relationships between health-related quality of life (HRQOL), social determinants of health, and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage in individuals with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) during chemotherapy. This is a longitudinal study that recruited Black and White women with ESBC receiving chemotherapy. Participants completed questionnaires recording their sociodemographic information at baseline and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) to report their HRQOL before each chemotherapy cycle. Linear mixed modeling was employed to examine the associations between FACT-G scores, self-reported race, and area deprivation index (ADI) before and at the last chemotherapy cycle, with the duration of chemotherapy treatment as a covariate. A total of 84 Black and 146 White women with ESBC completed the surveys. Linear mixed modeling results suggested that women with ESBC who reported being Black experienced significantly worse physical well-being than those who reported being White throughout chemotherapy, with a 0.22-point lower average (p = 0.02). Both Black and White women with ESBC experienced decreased functional well-being over the chemotherapy, and Black women consistently reported lower scores than White women, with the change in functional well-being over time differing between racial groups (p = 0.03). Participants' ADI national percentiles were not significantly associated with their HRQOL throughout chemotherapy. These findings underscore possible racial differences in some dimensions of HRQOL during chemotherapy among women with ESBC. Future research should consider further assessing life stressors and past experiences of discrimination and racism that may contribute to these disparities and guide proactive interventions.

Impacts of illegal trade on socio-emotional and behavioural skills in macaques

Decades of research have illuminated the consequences of early adverse rearing experiences in laboratory macaque populations. However, limited knowledge exists about the impact of traumatic episodes in non-laboratory environments. This study delves into the repercussions of illegal trade on socio-emotional and behavioural skills in five macaque species, all victims of poaching. We categorised their past experiences into seven aspects, encompassing maternal care and interactions with conspecifics. We assessed social engagement and cooperation by analysing social behaviours and employing the Social Responsiveness Scale. Emotional resilience was evaluated by measuring anxiety levels and the occurrence of abnormal behaviours, supported by a welfare questionnaire. Additionally, the introduction of Cattell’s 16PF questionnaire in macaques for the first time aimed to reveal the influence of traumatic experiences on their personality traits. Our findings emphasise the significance of early social exposure. The lack of juvenile social contact predicts reduced social behaviours and an inclination towards social avoidance in adulthood. Macaques raised by humans tend to exhibit more abnormal behaviours in social contexts, compromising their welfare. Deprivation of social exposure in infancy negatively impacts psychological stimulation and overall welfare. The duration of time spent in illegal trade correlates with heightened anxiety levels. Personality traits such as ‘Calmness’ and ‘Unfriendliness’ are influenced by rearing conditions, with macaques deprived of social interaction during their early years showing higher levels of introversion. In conclusion, the absence of social exposure during early life and hand-rearing due to illegal trade significantly shape macaques’ personality traits and their social and emotional skills.

"I lost my first tooth here": Syrian former refugees' experiences of oral healthcare in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Oral health conditions are highly prevalent among former refugees; however, little is known about their experiences of accessing dental care. We aimed to explore Syrian former refugees' experiences of oral healthcare in New Zealand. Thirty-nine Syrian former refugees resettled in Dunedin, New Zealand participated in nine focus group discussions. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Almost all participants reported motivation to care for their teeth but multiple factors facilitated or hindered their ability to address their oral health needs, including financial factors, communication issues and dental care provider cultural safety. Most participants arrived with high expectations of New Zealand's health system. Oral healthcare providers and policymakers need to expect and accept their patients' past experiences and emotions, and consider their cultures, languages and backgrounds.

A Narrative Inquiry into Professional Quality of Life among Therapeutic Recreation Professionals Working in Long-Term Care Homes

This paper describes the findings from a study that explored Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) among TR practitioners working in long term-care homes in Ontario, Canada. ProQoL incorporates positive (e.g., compassion satisfaction) and negative (e.g., compassion fatigue and burnout) aspects of working in healthcare (Stamm, 2010). Limited research exists exploring ProQoL from the perspective of TR practitioners working in LTC homes. To address this gap, four TR practitioners were interviewed to explore past and present experiences that contribute to ProQoL and write personal narratives that embody moments of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Narrative thematic analysis revealed three threads of ProQoL among practitioners: fueling the soul through connection and purpose, draining the TR spirit through workplace conflict and role ambiguity, and developing professional valour. Findings suggest that although practitioners derive great fulfillment from their careers, workplace culture and relational conflict are chronic challenges that erode the ProQoL of professionals. Recommendations for future research and practice are offered.

Mapping resolve in crisis bargaining through leader public statements: an examination of the United States’ statements about Bosnia and Kosovo

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to explore how past experiences impact the credibility of external states and change their public statements regarding other civil conflicts. While existing research on third-party intervention often explores the reasons behind external states’ involvement in conflicts, there has been a notable oversight in understanding how verbal expressions evolve across diverse conflicts. The paper compares the United States’ presidential statements regarding the Bosnia and Kosovo conflicts and highlights how the United States employs different frames for these distinct conflicts to restore its credibility. The paper concludes by proposing the need for a new measure of third-party attitudes towards civil conflicts to gain a more nuanced understanding of the role of external states in civil conflicts by measuring their resolve.

Exposure to armed conflict and monitoring as predictors of aggression in a population immersed in a long‐term conflict

AbstractAs armed conflict can influence social behavior, exposed individuals would experience modulated executive functioning, crucial to regulating aggressive responses. Since it is still unclear whether there is an association, this study examines the relationship between performance in executive functions and expression of reactive and proactive aggression, measured using the Reacting Proactive Aggression Questionnaire. The sample includes 128 civilians and ex‐combatants with different levels of exposure to the Colombian armed conflict. The study found that reactive aggression was directly linked to conflict exposure and was also influenced by age and monitoring ability. This suggests that an updated working memory and age play a role in reactive aggression. In contrast, proactive aggression was directly linked to conflict exposure but not to specific executive functions. In conclusion, individuals with less monitoring who live in high‐conflict regions present an increased likelihood of reactive aggression. Additionally, reasonable executive control of thoughts and actions, which involves updating past experiences, appears to be crucial in social contexts, especially violent ones. These findings shall inform interventions and public policies that address the psychosocial risks of aggressive behaviors.

Learning from fights: Males' social dominance status impact reproductive success in Drosophila melanogaster.

In animals, the access to vital resources often relies on individuals' behavioural personality, strength, motivation, past experiences and dominance status. Dominant individuals would be more territorial, providing them with a better access to food resources and mate. The so-called winner and loser effects induce individuals' behavioural changes after experiencing a victory or a defeat, and lead to an individual persistent state influencing the outcome of subsequent fights. However, whether and how development of winner and loser effects affect individuals' fitness is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate how individuals' fitness can be influenced by previous fighting experience in Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, we assess various behavioural performances as indicators for dominant and subordinate fitness. Our results show that subordinates are less territorial than dominants although their locomotor abilities are not affected. We also demonstrate that in a non-competitive context, experiencing a defeat reduces males' motivation to court females but not the reproductive success while in a competitive context, it negatively affects males' reproductive success. However, we found no impact upon either males' ability to distinguish potential mates nor on females' choice of a specific mating partner. Overall, these results indicate that previous defeats reduce reproductive success, a commonly used estimate of individual fitness.

Medical Nutrition Therapy, In-Person, or Telephone Group Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes? A Qualitative Study of Patient Perceptions and Treatment Preferences.

The purpose of the study was to explore the thoughts, feelings, motivations, and assignment preferences of community health center patients with type 2 diabetes considering participation in a 2-year lifestyle intervention trial aimed at weight loss and increased physical activity. The reasons for patients' delivery mode preferences were also explored to aid in the design of future interventions for controlled trials. Using structured telephone interview guides, 57 patients with type 2 diabetes receiving primary care at 3 community health centers affiliated with an academic medical center were interviewed regarding the perceived pros and cons of each of the 3 possible treatment assignments: telephone conference group, in-person group, or individual medical nutrition therapy. The interview data were organized using NVIVO and analyzed using content analysis. Findings on whether preferences varied by age, gender, or diabetes duration were also examined. Six categories related to patient treatment preferences were identified: (1) perception of time, (2) learning style, (3) comfort, (4) prior experience with weight loss programs and conference calls, (5) desire for support/idea exchange, and (6) accountability. Preferences did not seem to vary by age, gender, or diabetes duration. Key factors influencing preference of treatment assignment included schedule demands, belief about learning style, and past experiences. These findings demonstrate the importance of having a variety of nutrition and lifestyle treatment options available to meet the needs of people with type 2 diabetes.

Religious leaders' perceptions of the identification and referral of people with mental health problems in a Peruvian city.

Religious leaders have the potential to play a significant role in the identification and referral of individuals with mental health problems. This study sought to understand the perceptions of religious leaders in regards to identifying and referring parishioners with mental health issues to healthcare professionals, in Chimbote, Peru. We performed a cross-sectional study that covered religious leaders of different religious groups in Chimbote. The leaders completed a survey that assessed their characteristics, past experiences of detecting and referring those with mental health problems to healthcare professionals, and perceptions of four clinical cases (for which we used the Clergy's Perception of Mental Illness Survey instrument). We included 109 religious' leaders of four religious groups (11 Catholics, 70 Evangelicals, 21 Mormons, and 7 Adventists). Of these, 50.5% had received at least one request for help with mental health issues from a parishioner in the previous month, over 85% expressed a desire for training in identifying mental health problems, and 22-30% reported receiving any training. While the majority of leaders were able to correctly identify cases of depression, alcohol dependence, and drug problems, only 62% correctly classified a case of schizophrenia. Despite this, 80% stated that they would refer their parishioners to healthcare professionals. Parishioners tend to consult their religious leaders regarding their mental health and approximately 80% stated they would refer such cases to a healthcare professional. However, less than one-third of the leaders had received training to detect mental health problems. These results suggest that there is a need for training programs to improve the ability of religious leaders to identify and refer individuals with mental health issues.

Stroking in early mother-infant exchanges: The role of maternal tactile biography and interoceptive sensibility.

Caress-like is a crucial component of caregiving and a key factor in mother-infant interactions. Mother's experience of touch during her own childhood (i.e., tactile biography) has been found to be related to maternal actual use of caress-like touch (i.e., stroking) during mother-infant exchanges. Evidence also suggests that maternal interoceptive sensibility (i.e., self-perceived sensitivity to inner-body sensations) might be related to sensitive caregiving abilities. However, further empirical investigation is needed to understand to what extent tactile biography and interoceptive sensibility have an impact on mothers' stroking when interacting with their infants. Using an online survey, this cross-sectional study explored the potential association between maternal tactile biography, interoceptive sensibility and use of touch for interaction with their own infants in a group of 377 Italian mothers (mean age = 33.29; SD = 4.79). We tested and compared a series of multivariate linear mediation models using maternal tactile biography as predictor, maternal use of affective touch as outcome variable and Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) subscale scores as mediators. We found that, if a mother had positive touch experiences in her own childhood, she may be more likely to use touch in a positive and nurturing way with her own infant (i.e., stroking). Furthermore, mothers' interoceptive sensibility in the form of attention regulation, self-regulation and body listening mediates the association between their past experiences of positive touch and their use of caress-like touch in mother-infant exchanges. This study highlights that maternal tactile biography is directly associated with mothers' use of caress-like touch and indirectly linked to it through the mediating role of interoceptive sensibility.

[Deprescribing statinsand other cardiovascular medications Barriers and facilitators].

Considering the growing problematic of polypharmacy, this article summarizes barriers and facilitators to deprescribing cardiovascular medications, from the point of view of physicians and patients. Patients seem to be more open to discontinue cardiovascular medications when their physician suggests to do so, or if they dislike the medication. Physicians tend to consider deprescribing more if they had positive experiences with deprescribing in the past, or if their patients ask them to. The most common barrier for patients is the fear of health deterioration. Patient desire to continue with their usual medication or past negative experiences with depresecribing are frequently reported as barriers by physicians.

Support for Ukrainian refugees after Russia's invasion of Ukraine: aid structure and resilience factors. Case studies of Lublin and Lutsk

ABSTRACT Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered forced migration on a scale not seen in Europe since World War II. The city of Lublin (Poland), as the capital of the border region, has become both a destination and transit point for refugees, generating the need for both emergency and long-term assistance. Lublin Voivodeship is adjacent to the Volyn region with its capital in Lutsk, where the situation has also changed rapidly (an influx of internally displaced persons). The purpose of this article is to capture the overall picture of the response to war in regional urban centres with similar demographic, absorption and adaptation potential and to identify social resilience factors. We begin by describing the aid structure based on the concept of multilevel governance. We then identify three groups of social resilience factors in both cities: past experience in emergency response, the diversity of actors involved, and the way the work is managed (with professionalisation of volunteer phenomena). The article is based on data resulting from qualitative research in Lublin and Lutsk with the actors of the humanitarian aid.

Crossing roads in a social context: How behaviors of others shape pedestrian interaction with automated vehicles

Automated vehicles (AVs) are going to enter public roads in the near future and will inevitably encounter more than one pedestrian on roads. Very little is known about how multiple pedestrians will interact with AVs and their external human–machine interfaces (eHMIs). This study investigates the social influence of others on the pedestrian decision-making process during their initial encounters with AVs. In a virtual reality experiment, 26 male and 55 female participants in three experimental conditions made crossing decisions – either alone or next to other simulated pedestrians – in front of AVs equipped with abstract eHMIs showing yielding or non-yielding intentions. The results show that the behaviors of others significantly influenced pedestrian crossing decisions. While the appropriate behaviors of others contributed to faster crossing decision-making, misleading behaviors of others led to riskier crossing decisions and greater difficulty in understanding the eHMIs. However, the impacts from others on pedestrian crossing decisions disappeared once participants became more familiar with eHMIs. Qualitative data revealed that participants acquired knowledge about AVs and eHMIs through direct experience, observing others, and drawing from their past experiences. Additionally, there was a tendency among certain pedestrians to overly rely on and misuse eHMIs. To ensure the safe deployment of AVs, it is therefore essential to adequately educating the public about this novel technology and to optimize eHMI designs for effective communication with multiple pedestrians.

Understanding mobile payment through the lens of continuity theory

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether mobile payment (MP) adopters in China extend their MP usage during their travel abroad, through the lens of continuity theory. The findings from in-depth interviews articulated six major concerns while using MP at home, namely perceived risks, costs, incompatibility, complexity, customer support, and social influence. Three major concerns for not using MP when travelling abroad include perceived security risk, costs, and incompatibility. Discontinuity of usage include past experiences and concerns about using MP in the home country, together with their negative evaluation of the MP service environment of the travel destinations. This study answers why some Chinese tourists abandon MP when they travel. Practical implications are offered to service providers to enhance users’ experiences.