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Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention
No full text<200 million individuals are currently using drugs illegally in the world, 22.6 million in the U.S.. The costs of drug use and the misfortune of the user's is immeasurable (Carroll, 2017). Relapse rates are high occurring in 50-70% of users (Chiesa, 2013). Researchers have concluded that the typical, clinical methods of treating SUDs may not be as effective and have tested methods of MBI’s for SUD. The qualities that mindfulness offer are believed and proven to decrease the sensations that trigger substance use and increase the sensations that allow people to experience more pleasant mental states. Mindfulness has the ability to correct dysregulated reward processing which can be a cue for SU, but also can decrease the potential pain that cues opioid use. The goal of MBRP is to reduce triggers and emotions that can lead to SU and/or relapse
Proposing Logical Table Constructs for Enhanced Machine Learning Process
No full textMachine learning (ML) has shown enormous potential in various domains with the wide variations of underlying data types. Because of the miscellany in the data sets and the features, ML classifiers often suffer from challenges, such as feature miss-classification, unfit algorithms, low accuracy, overfitting, underfitting, extreme bias, and high predictive errors. Through the lens of related study and latest progress in the field, this paper presents a novel scheme to construct logical table (LT) unit with two internal sub-modules for algorithm blend and feature engineering. The LT unit works in the deepest layer of an enhanced ML engine engineering (eMLEE) process. eMLEE consists of several low-level modules to enhance the ML classifier progression. A unique engineering approach is adopted in eMLEE to blend various algorithms, enhance the feature engineering, construct a weighted performance metric, and augment the validation process. The LT is an in-memory logical component, that governs the progress of eMLEE, regulates the model metrics, improves the parallelism, and keep tracks of each module of eMLEE as the classifier learns. Optimum fitness of the model with parallel “check, validate, insert, delete, and update” mechanism in 3-D logical space via structured schemas in the LT is obtained. The LT unit is developed in Python, C#, and R libraries and tested using miscellaneous data sets. Results are created using GraphPad Prism, SigmaPlot, Plotly, and MS Excel software. To support the built and implementation of the proposed scheme, complete mathematical models along with the algorithms, and necessary illustrations are provided in this paper. To show the practicality of the proposed scheme, several simulation results are presented with a comprehensive analysis of the outcomes for the metrics of the model that the LT regulates with improved outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2018.286604
Anchoring Bias and Price Strategy
No full textAnchoring Bias is used in psychology to represent the widespread human tendency to rely on the first piece of information or a familiar reference a person has heard, no matter how reliable this information is when a decision or choice is made. The first or specific value information is always tremendous effort the results people made. A product is truly never expensive or cheap; it depends on comparison. Most of the time having an anchor price will help a person make a decision or choice. This report will explain the bias built into the strategy of product pricing. This study describes the results of a survey conducted on how people will buy a car if a dealership provides different prices at different times. The survey data will show how people make decision or choice when they have prior price information. The questionnaires were distributed to a total of twenty-six students in the Spring 2018 FIN534 Behavioral Economics and Algorithmic Finance course with Professor Philip Z. Maymin at the University of Bridgeport, Ernest C. Trefz School of Business
A Computational Approach Using Cellular Potts Model for Simulation of Neural Stem Cells Grown in PCL-Graphene Scaffolds
No full textIn the last decade, new computational model environment that includes both discrete and continuous models is getting more attention. One of the most well-known hybrid approaches is Cellular Potts Model also known as the Glazier-Graner-Hogeweg model, a lattice-based, cellular level computational framework that accurately describes biological phenomena including stem cell differentiation, tumor growth, cell migration, angiogenesis, cell rearrangement and adhesion. In this study we use the Cellular Potts Model (CPM) to design a dynamic microenvironment for cellular organization and its functioning at a Nano-scale level. Particularly we focus on cellular level interactions of neural stem cells grown on a Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-graphene scaffolds which are proven to provide better protein and cell adhesion and eventually increase the biological responses of the cells. The interactions such as cell-cell, cell-extracellular matrix adhesion and cellular motility contribute to the system’s energy given by a function known as Hamiltonian which manages the lattice rearrangement using the stochastic Monte Carlo’s model by minimizing the energy
Use of SWOT/TOWS Technique to Strategically Improve a SME Business
No full textBusiness success is defined by the company in terms of what motivates, drives and sustains the organization. The proper predictor tools to be utilized are those that engage the Operating Management Team, cover a proper scope of evaluation and provide a pathway to executing a game-plan for success. SWOT/TOWS is such a tool that identifies the critical Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat factors that need to be addressed to drive business success. This work presents a case study that explores how to identify and use the SWOT/TOWS tool in a technically-oriented Small Medium Enterprise (SME) that was used to predict how to grow the SME and then form the foundation of a strategic business road map to guide and implement its growth success
Bacteria as Bio-Template for 3D Carbon Nanotube Architectures
No full textFaculty Research Day 2018: Faculty Competitive Poster WinnerIt is one of the most important needs to develop renewable, scalable and multifunctional methods for the fabrication of 3D carbon architectures. Even though a lot of methods have been developed to create porous and mechanically stable 3D scaffolds, the fabrication and control over the synthesis of such architectures still remain a challenge. Here, we used Magnetospirillum magneticum (AMB-1) bacteria as a bio-template to fabricate light-weight 3D solid structure of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with interconnected porosity. The resulting porous scaffold showed good mechanical stability and large surface area because of the excellent pore interconnection and high porosity. Steered molecular dynamics simulations were used to quantify the interactions between nanotubes and AMB-1 via the cell surface protein MSP-1 and flagellin. The 3D CNT-AMB1 nanocomposite scaffold is further demonstrated as a potential substrate for electrodes in supercapacitor applications
Bringing Bridgeport Back One Building at a Time
No full textBridgeport was the epicenter of the industrial era in Connecticut during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Over time Bridgeport has fallen tragically on hard times - creating blight and crimes - as industries moved out of the area and the age of technology was born. Due to the University of Bridgeport's close proximity to downtown Bridgeport, it is our wish to work with the city to help restore these beautiful and historic buildings. Using our talent, knowledge, and skills learned in the interior design program in the Shintaro Akatsu School of Design, we propose to restore Bridgeport to its former glory one building at a time
Reverse Logistics: Mattress Recycling
No full textThis study investigates U.S. manufacturing industries that can utilize raw materials obtained from mattress recycling as an input. To achieve this, a material analysis is conducted to determined the types of raw materials that can be obtained from a variety of mattresses. This research also focuses on the utilization of bed coils and wood as decorative parts while elaborating on their sales via online platforms
Balloon/Drone-based Aerial Platforms for Remote Particulate Matter Pollutant Monitoring
No full textAir pollution is the world’s leading cause of environmentally related deaths, and results in tremendous environmental, social and economic costs. Particulate matter with diameter of 2.5 microns or less (so called PM2.5) is especially harmful for human health because they can penetrate into the deeper part of the lungs. Monitoring PM pollutants concentration distribution and understanding their diffusion pattern are essential to evaluate their effects on human health and environment. Traditional PM2.5 air pollution monitoring utilizes stationary ground-mounted air pollution sensors to monitor air pollution in certain fixed locations. However, such stationary air pollution sensing lacks flexibility and can only sense air pollution on ground surface. In this research, a balloon/drone based aerial platform for remote particulate matter pollutant monitoring is developed. It can measure PM2.5 air pollution in the air at different altitude and trace the diffusion of air pollutants. The data can be transmitted to ground station via wireless communication, and then uploaded to cloud server. In this way, users can check data online anywhere using computers or smart phones. The proposed aerial platform can also be used for security surveillance, wildlife migration tracking, climate change monitoring, geographical survey and other potential applications
Microgravity’s Effect on the Virulence of Bacteriophage qB on Escherichia coli as a Possible Indicator of the Down-Regulation of Host Factor Hfq
No full textFaculty Research Day 2018: Student Spaceflight Experiments Program FinalistFaculty Research Day 2018: Undergraduate Student Poster 2nd PlaceThe virulence of viruses is a topic of interest for the wellbeing of human health during space travel. Little research has been conducted on differing virulence between bacteriophages in space and on earth. However, prior research suggests evidence that a difference may exist. Hfq is an RNA binding global regulator protein present in E. coli which has been shown to be required for Coliphage qB to infect E. coli. In a squid-vibrio experiment conducted under simulated microgravity, the hfq protein production was seen to be down-regulated in Vibrio fischeri. Our experiment aims to imitate results found by Grant under a real microgravity situation in Escherichia coli, given that Hfq is highly conserved in bacteria. The experiment will compare the virulence of Coliphage qB on E. coli in space to the virulence on land. The resulting difference in rates of Coliphage qB infection of E. coli may hint at unknown molecular mechanisms that bacteria and/or viruses employ under the effects of microgravity, and may provide evidence to suggest that hfq is also down-regulated in E. coli in microgravity. The implications of the results found by this experiment will be a step into determining the virulence of viruses and other infectious organisms during spaceflight and may lead to effective preventative measures to safeguard the health of humans in space