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Context-Aware Prediction with Secure and Lightweight Cognitive Decision Model in Smart Cities
No full textCognitive networks with the integration of smart and physical devices are rapidly utilized for the development of smart cities. They are explored by many real-time applications such as smart homes, healthcare, safety systems, and other unpredictable environments to gather data and process network requests. However, due to the external conditions and inherent uncertainty of wireless systems, most of the existing approaches cannot cope with routing disturbances and timely delivery performance. Further, due to limited resources, the demand for a secure communication system raises another potential research challenge to protect sensitive data and maintain the integrity of the urban environment. This paper presents a secured decision-making model using reinforcement learning with the combination of blockchain to enhance the degree of trust and data protection. The proposed model increases the network efficiency for resource utilization and the management of communication devices with the alliance of security. It provides a reliable and more adaptive paradigm by exploring learning techniques for dealing with the intrinsic uncertainty and imprecision of cognitive systems. Also, the incorporation of blockchain technology reduces the risk of a single point of failure, malicious vulnerabilities, and data leakage, ultimately fostering trust for urban sensor applications. It validates the incoming routing links and identifies any communication fault incurred due to malicious interference. The proposed model is rigorously tested and verified using simulations and its significance has been proven for network metrics in comparison to existing solutions
Defending Well-being as an Educational Aim: Insights from the Capability Approach
No full textSeveral perspectives in the philosophy and theory of education promote human flourishing or well-being as the central aim of education. Education, they argue, should equip children to lead good lives, i.e., lives broadly characterised by autonomous choices, engagement in worthwhile activities, and the fulfilment of one’s goals. The currency of flourishing as the central aim of education, however, has been recently critiqued on ground of its overall unfeasibility. Some critics maintain that since flourishing is not something that can be learned, and its achievement requires more than educators can provide for, the aim of flourishing goes beyond the scope of educational institutions, and it exceeds the responsibility and remits of teachers. Drawing on the core concepts of Amartya Sen’s capability approach – an ethical approach focused on well-being and freedom - this article posits that the critique of unfeasibility is not warranted. Sen’s account of well-being in terms of functionings and capability, and the normative commitment to expanding a person’s capability, focus attention on the role of education in this process, as one of the institutional ‘sites’ for the pursuit of well-being and justice. The approach thus supports and justifies identifying well-being as the overarching aim of education, while maintaining goals of developing functionings and capabilities specific to education
Uncovering the latent structure of human time perception
No full textOne of the ongoing controversies in interval timing concerns whether human time perception relies on multiple distinct mechanisms. This debate centres around whether subsecond and suprasecond timing may be attributed to a single semi-uniform timing system or separate and interacting cognitive systems. Whereas past studies offer valuable insights, this study overcomes previous limitations by adopting multiple convergent statistical approaches in a design with strong statistical power. We conducted two online experiments involving participants reproducing temporal intervals ranging from 400 to 2400 ms (Experiment 1; N = 302) and 1000 to 2000 ms (Experiment 2; N = 302). We contrasted the application of exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling to differentiate distinct latent structures underlying duration reproduction patterns. Additionally, we compared the model outcomes with results from changepoint analysis models fitted to individual participants' data. In both experiments, these analyses yielded evidence for a two-factor model comprising a general timing factor spanning the full interval range and a second factor capturing the regression to the mean of presented stimulus intervals (central tendency bias). We observed a low proportion of detected changepoints, further supporting the limited evidence for a hypothesized discontinuity between distinct underlying systems, while also finding that changepoint detection patterns were predicted by latent factor scores. These results suggest that the central tendency bias should be considered when investigating potential discontinuities in interval timing systems. Our work contributes to the integration of factor analytic and computational modelling approaches in the study of time perception and has implications for the measurement and interpretation of interval timing in a range of contexts
Quantum-Driven Business Analytics::An Experimental Investigation of Performance Impact on Strategic Decision-Making
Get PDFThis working paper presents the results of an experimental study investigating the performance impacts of quantum computing approaches on business analytics and strategic decisionmaking. While the theoretical benefits of quantum computing for complex business problems have been explored, empirical evidence of measurable performance advantages remains scarce. Our research addresses this knowledge gap through a series of controlled laboratory experiments comparing classical and quantum-inspired optimisation algorithms. Using a mixed factorial experimental design with 124 professional participants from 28 organisations, our results demonstrate statistically significant advantages of quantum-inspired approaches for large-scale, complex optimisation problems with high dimensionality and multiple constraints. We present an integrated framework for quantum advantage in business analytics that maps specific business problem characteristics to quantum computing approaches. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for organisations considering quantum-inspired analytics investments, as well as a research agenda addressing key challenges for broader quantum computing adoption in business contexts
Head, face and neck cooling for performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textPURPOSE: Cooling the head, face, and neck can have strong perceptual effects that contribute to improved performance. This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, and neck on physical and cognitive performance, determine any associated physiological and perceptual responses, synthesize adverse events, and provide practical applications.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Studies that investigated the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, or neck on a physical or cognitive task using a controlled trial design were included.RESULTS: Sixty-three studies were identified, involving 618 participants (86.6% male). Cooling strategies included water-perfused devices (18.7%), phase-change neck collars (17.3%), fanning/cold air (14.7%), phase-change headwear (13.3%), ice/gel packs (13.3%), cold towels (5.3%), menthol application (4.0%), water spraying/dousing (4.0%), or a combination of strategies (9.3%). The effect of cooling on both self-paced and fixed-intensity exercise tasks was inconclusive; the 95% CI of the pooled effect was compatible with no effect and medium beneficial effects but not harmful effects. We were unable to pool cognitive data. Cooling reduced the skin temperature at the target site and improved thermal sensation and comfort. Effects on heart rate and core and mean skin temperatures were negligible. Adverse events were rare, and no intervention subgroup was superior.CONCLUSION: We recommend that athletes experiment with a range of head-, face-, and neck-cooling strategies, including using different doses and timings, to determine the optimal strategy for their individual and sport context.</p
Orwell and Jack Common
No full textThis chapter takes a fresh look at the professional relationship between Orwell and his friend Jack Common, a working-class writer from the north-east of England. The chapter focuses on the world of 1930s literary journalism to show how both writers interrogated the links between writing, social mobility, class conflict, and masculinity. Close readings of Common’s essays for The Adelphi magazine shed new light on Orwell’s attempts to renounce his upper-class, imperialist origins and to identify with the ‘common’ person. The Road to Wigan Pier and Keep the Aspidistra Flying are reinterpreted as quests for cultural classlessness and meaningful literary labour
Personalized Eicosapentaenoic Acid Therapy for Clinical Depression
Get PDF© 2025, [Slack]. The attached document (embargoed until 26/02/2026) is an author produced version of a paper published in Psychiatric Annals uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. The final published version (version of record) is available online at the link [https://doi.org/10.3928/00485713-20250114-03]. Some minor differences between this version and the final published version may remain. We suggest you refer to the final published version should you wish to cite from it
Head, face and neck cooling for performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis:A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textPURPOSE: Cooling the head, face, and neck can have strong perceptual effects that contribute to improved performance. This systematic review aimed to determine the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, and neck on physical and cognitive performance, determine any associated physiological and perceptual responses, synthesize adverse events, and provide practical applications.METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Studies that investigated the effect of cooling strategies targeting the head, face, or neck on a physical or cognitive task using a controlled trial design were included.RESULTS: Sixty-three studies were identified, involving 618 participants (86.6% male). Cooling strategies included water-perfused devices (18.7%), phase-change neck collars (17.3%), fanning/cold air (14.7%), phase-change headwear (13.3%), ice/gel packs (13.3%), cold towels (5.3%), menthol application (4.0%), water spraying/dousing (4.0%), or a combination of strategies (9.3%). The effect of cooling on both self-paced and fixed-intensity exercise tasks was inconclusive; the 95% CI of the pooled effect was compatible with no effect and medium beneficial effects but not harmful effects. We were unable to pool cognitive data. Cooling reduced the skin temperature at the target site and improved thermal sensation and comfort. Effects on heart rate and core and mean skin temperatures were negligible. Adverse events were rare, and no intervention subgroup was superior.CONCLUSION: We recommend that athletes experiment with a range of head-, face-, and neck-cooling strategies, including using different doses and timings, to determine the optimal strategy for their individual and sport context.</p