210 research outputs found
Towards exercise as a transdiagnostic mood boosting intervention: Links to daily life emotional memory and neural plasticity.
No full textDepression, anxiety, burnout, and other stress-related illnesses are becoming a major cause of disability globally. However, current treatments, including pharmacology and psychotherapy, show high resistance and relapse rates. A transdiagnostic approach that targets underlying mechanisms may provide better results than current treatments. One potential avenue that fits a transdiagnostic approach is exercise as a mood boosting treatment, which can serve as a low-cost and easily accessible tool in treating and preventing mental illness. Exercise has been shown to boost mood, and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, though the mechanisms of how this happens are not well understood. One theory is that exercise acts to modify emotional memory processing, which is often disrupted in psychiatric illness. Laboratory results have shown some support for this argument, yet results from the lab remain mixed, higlhighitng a need to expand research into real-life settings. In addition to understanding the cognitive mechanisms, the neural pathways that are involved in this process are also not well understood. The relationship between exercise and mood and memory may be due to increased neural plasticity, as increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) are often reported following exercise, which are linked to plasticity in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a central episodic memory hubs, with connections to the default mode network (DMN). The DMN is involved in autobiographical memory and disruptions in this network are reported in a wide range of psychiatric illnesses. By stimulating neural plasticity in the hippocampus through exercise, it may lead to changes in DMN connectivity and alter emotional memory, thereby elevating mood. However, this overarching model encompassing the lab and real-life, as well as examining these processes involved, have yet to be investigated thoroughly
The Implied Author in the literary works of Muhammad Naffa’
No full textتخوض المقالة مغامرة البحث في معنى المصطلح "كاتب ضمنيّ (Implied Author)، مفهومه وتجلّيه في أدب الكاتب الفلسطينيّ المحليّ محمّد نفّاع (1939). فرغم ما حظي به أدبه من مقالات نقديّة، إلّا أنّ أحدًا لم يتناول هذا الجانب ويبحثه بحثًا جادًّا متعمّقًا. وهي مقالة مُلخّصة لثمرة جهد دام ثلاث سنوات، قمنا خلالها ببحث طوليّ شموليّ تناول كلّ مجموعات نفّاع القصصيّة وعددها ست، ورواية فاطمة الصادرة عن دار راية للنشر عام 2015، والتي نُشرت في حلقات متفرّقة على موقع الجبهة، بالإضافة إلى كلّ ما نُشر من قصص متفرّقة في هذا الموقع الأخير[1] حتى شهر حزيران 2014.
تأتي هذه الدراسة لتؤكّد فكرة التّعالق الجماليّ والفكريّ في أدب نفّاع. فالقاصّ لا يلتقط معلومات عابرة ويُحوّلها إلى نصّ أدبيّ، إنّما نراه يخضع لعوامل تاريخيّة، فكريّة، أيديولوجيّة، فيفارق خلالها سطوح الأشياء ليصل إلى أعماقها، وبهذا يكون مطالبًا بإعادة صياغة المفاهيم والمعلومات ونسجها من جديد. الكاتب الضمنيّ، وهو وليد الكاتب الحقيقيّ وممثّله، بوصفه الأنا الثانية له، هو المرآة التي ستعكس لنا هذا التّعالق الجماليّ مع الفكريّ على وجه التحديد والتخصيص. وحتى يتحقق ذلك يتوجب علينا اقتفاء أثر الكاتب في النّص من خلال متابعتنا لمجالات خمسة: الكاتب وعلاقته بالزّمان، الكاتب وعلاقته بالمكان، الكاتب وعلاقته بالشخصيّات، الكاتب وعلاقته بالحدث، الكاتب وعلاقته بالراوي. فماذا نعني بالكاتب الضمنيّ والكاتب الحقيقيّ (The real author) ما العلاقة بينهما؟ متى ينوب الراوي عن الكاتب الحقيقيّ؟ وكيف يتجلى ذلك في نصوص نفّاع؟ كم من المؤلّف الحقيقيّ في المؤلّف الضمنيّ؟ على هذه الأسئلة البحثيّة ستتم الإجابة من خلال توضيح العلاقة بين الكاتب والمجالات الخمسة الآنف ذكرها، وتفسير كيفيّة انعكاس هذه العلاقة على الوظيفة التي يؤدّيها الكاتب الضمنيّ/ المُضمر في النّص الأدبيّ عند نفّاع.
*This article aims to examine the meaning and the context of the term "Implied Author" and how it is revealed in the literature of the local Palestinian writer Mohammad Naffa' (1939). Despite the vast amount of critical writing on Nafaa's literature, however, none has dealt or looked in depth into this aspect. The present article is accumulative work of a 3- year project in which we carried out a longitudinal holistic research studying all Naffa's story collections, 6 in number, and his novel "Fatima", published by Al-Raya Publishing in 2015, which had been earlier published as a series in Hadash website (Al-Ittihad literature section), in addition to all the randomly published stories in this website up till June 2014.
This study considers the idea of aesthetic and thematic interconnectivity in Nafaa's works, i.e., for the narrator does not simply pick his information randomly; he bides himself to historical and ideological factors where he departs the surface to dive into the depth of things, thus becoming self-demanding. He is obliged to re-construct and re-frame and re-shape the concepts and the information all a new.
The Implied Author is the author's construct and his representative by being his second Ego. He is the mirror that will reflect to us this aesthetic interconnectivity with the thematic one, in particular. In order for that to happen, we, readers, need to follow the traces of the writer in the text examining the following five domains: the writer and his relationship to Time, the writer and Place, the writer and the Characters and finally the writer and the Narrator. What do we then mean by Implied Author and Real Author? What is the relation between the two? When does the narrator represent the real writer? How is this revealed in Naffa's literature? To what extent does the real author exist in the implied author? All these research questions are discussed and answered putting the relationship between the writer and the five previously mentioned domains. Furthermore, the reflection of this relationship on the role done by the Implied Author in Naffa's literary text will be elaborated
Reliability Benchmarking of Eurocode 7 Design Examples: CIE5050-09: Additional Thesis Project 2021
No full textThe application of reliability analysis in geotechnical engineering is relatively new compared to the other sections of civil engineering such as structural engineering and hydraulic engineering. However, due to its increases use in recent years, reliability analysis is planned to be included extensively in the upcoming Eurocode 7 (EN 1997). This research aims to compare the accuracy and efficiency between the applications of 22 selected reliability methods in 9 selected geotechnical engineering problems with various number of independent variables and modes of failure. The accuracy of the reliability methods are determined based on the Probability of Failure (Pf) errors, while the efficiency is based on the number of realizations (N) each method needs. The Monte Carlo Simulation is found to be the most accurate method despite its shortcomings in efficiency (ranked as the least efficient). Moreover, the FOSM method is found to be the most efficient despite its serious shortcoming in accuracy where it is also ranked as the most inaccurate. However, putting both accuracy and efficiency into account, the AK-MCS 0 order is proven to be the best method when applied to the discussed geotechnical engineering problems. The research also points out the necessity to perform multiple reliability methods for each geotechnical engineering problem.Geo-Engineerin
A Reliability-Based Design Optimization Method for Geotechnical Engineering Problem Based On Active-Learning Kriging Metamodeling
No full textUsing an expensive-to-evaluate numerical model, such as a finite element method (FEM) model, is deemed unavoidable in solving modern geotechnical engineering problems. At the same time, the application of reliability analysis in dealing with uncertainties (e.g. soil properties) is increasing rapidly. This could pose a time-wise problem for an FEM model since reliability analysis normally takes much more than only one realization (function call) of the model. It becomes a bigger problem when a design optimization process is taking place. More often than not, design optimization is performed by a ”trial-and-error” method in practice, which the process itself would even take longer just to give engineers the ”sense” of achieving an optimal design (in terms of safety and economy). Therefore, the actual optimality of the design is not systematically proven and quantified. This research proposes a novel reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) method by combining existing theories regarding active-learning Kriging-based Monte Carlo Simulation (AK-MCS) and (1+1)-Covariance Matrix Adaptation evolution scheme ((1+1)-CMA-ES). To achieve accuracy and efficiency, the method consists of four enrichment stages. These enrichment stages ensure the method accurately and efficiently predicts the optimal design combination by considering the reliability constraint. The chosen case study is the reinforcement design of the Starnmeer polder dyke in the Netherlands, which is simulated as an FEM model. Within a limited number of function calls, the proposed RBDO method could accurately predict the optimal dimensions of the dyke that delivers the targeted reliability index. The reliable performance of the proposed method is further demonstrated by solving three analytical optimization problems.Geo-Engineerin
Manifestation of memory bias in daily life in clinically depressed and remitted individuals
No full textDepression is characterized by a cognitive bias toward negative memory recall (Beck, 1969; Kircanski et al., 2012; LeMoult & Gotlib, 2019). This cognitive bias may last beyond depressive episodes and indicates a risk of relapse in those who are in remission (Everaert et al., 2022; Ingram, 1984; Ronold et al., 2020). While earlier studies have primarily concentrated on negative memory bias (MB) in depression (Beck, 1969; Duyser et al., 2020; Hertel, 2004; Kircanski et al., 2012), less attention has been given to positive MB formation. Recent studies suggest that the absence of positive MB may be a crucial factor distinguishing depressed and never-depressed individuals (Askelund et al., 2019; Everaert et al., 2022; Gaddy & Ingram, 2014), making it a potential target for novel treatment approaches. Worth noting, however, is that research on the prevalence of MB in those remitted from depression has produced inconsistent results (Everaert et al., 2022; Hallford et al., 2022; Romero et al., 2014).This may occur because previous research on MB has primarily been conducted in laboratory settings (Lin et al., 2021; Ridout et al., 2003; Zupan et al., 2017), neglecting the impact of daily-life stressors and context on MB processes. Indeed, contextual factors have been shown to play an important role in this (Vrijsen et al., 2021). Incorporating daily-life context such as stressors in the research design may clarify the presence or absence of MB in this population, as daily-life processes may serve to activate latent depressogenic schemas (Everaert et al., 2022; Fritzsche et al., 2010; Kircanski et al., 2012; Rude et al., 2001; Timbremont & Braet, 2004). Daily life fluctuations in MB under changing contexts can be investigated using ecological momentary assessments (EMA). EMA involves conducting multiple assessments per day during the participant's daily life, providing a more ecologically valid approach to examining MB (Csikszentmihalyi & Larson, 1987). Assessing memory bias and depressotypic negative affect through EMA also allows for the examination of temporaneous and contemporaneous effects, including emotional inertia, which may affect cognitive emotional processing (Brose et al., 2015; Kuppens et al., 2010) . The aim for this pre-registration is to investigate memory bias (MB) in depression in a contextually dependent manner using data from the MEDAL study (Vrijsen et al., 2021). In the MEDAL study, never depressed, depressed, and remitted participants were followed in daily life using EMA questions probing affect, memory bias, and stress. Data will be analyzed to investigate how these dynamics play out in real-life settings
Pre-and post-therapy assessment of clinical outcomes and white matter integrity in autism spectrum disorder: Pilot study
No full textObjective: This pilot study aims to identify white matter (WM) tract abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) toddlers and pre-schoolers by Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), and to correlate imaging findings with clinical improvement after early interventional and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapies by Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). Methods: DTI scans were performed on 17 ASD toddlers/pre-schoolers and seven age-matched controls. Nine ASD patients had follow-up MRI 12 months following early intervention and ABA therapy. VB-MAPP was assessed and compared at diagnosis, 6 and 12 months after therapies. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) was used to measure fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial (RD) diffusivity. Results: VB-MAPP scores improved at 6 and 12 months after early intervention and ABA therapy compared to scores at baseline. TBSS analysis showed significant FA decrease and/or RD increase in ASD patients before therapy vs. controls in inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi, uncinate fasciculi, left superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, forceps minor, left superior fronto-occipital fasciculus, right superior longitudinal fasciculus, corona radiate bilaterally, and left external capsule. A significantly FA increase in 21 tracts and ROIs is reported in post-vs. pre-therapy DTI analysis. Conclusion: DTI findings highlighted ASD patient WM abnormalities at diagnosis and confirmed the benefits of 12 months of early intervention and ABA therapy on clinical and neuro imaging outcomes. © 2019 Saaybi, AlArab, Hannoun, Saade, Tutunji, Zeeni, Shbarou, Hourani and Boustany
Being Physically Active Is Associated with More Positive Memories and Better Mood States in Daily Life
No full textPhysical activity benefits mental health, with emotional memory and repetitive negative thinking (RNT) as potential mechanisms. This study expands upon prior laboratory studies by examining how physical activity is associated with emotional memory and RNT in daily life, utilizing the experience sampling method (ESM).
Methods. A community sample (N = 112) was prompted four times daily for seven consecutive days to report their recent physical activity duration and intensity, recalled emotional events, RNT, and current positive and negative mood states.
Results. Participants rated recalled events as more pleasant when they had been physically active for longer durations or at higher intensities in the preceding hours. No evidence was found for an association between physical activity and RNT. Confirming the mood-enhancing effect of physical activity, both activity duration and intensity were negatively associated with negative mood, and intensity positively with positive mood.
Conclusions. The results indicate that physical activity duration and intensity are positively associated with emotional memory and mood states. This confirms the mental health advantages of physical activity using daily life data. Future research should further investigate emotional memory as a mechanism underlying the protective effects of physical activity on mental health
MeReL: Modelling and Predicting Resilience in Real Life
No full textStress-related disorders represent severe mental illnesses that constitute a heavy burden for the individual and society. The ongoing transition in clinical strategy from treatment towards prevention and health maintenance has increased the focus on understanding and enhancing stress resilience. Prior research focused on identifying subjective measures that predict resilience following stress exposure (resilience factors). However, predictors from objective measures and real-life resilience markers are lacking. Additionally, most studies have been conducted on non-representative samples. We aim to reduce this gap using the dataset of the Healthy Brain Study (HBS; https://www.healthybrainstudy.nl). This large cohort study tracked for one year over 700 individuals from diverse backgrounds, conducting extensive assessments in both laboratory and real-life environments. In this project, we aim to (1) validate a measure of resilience using the HBS data, (2) replicate and extend earlier works on resilience factors and resilience mechanisms, and (3) investigate dynamic changes in resilience following stress exposure. Building on recent theories, we conceptualize resilience as the maintenance of mental health despite exposure to stressors. We operationalize it using normative modeling as the inverse residual of stress-related mental health symptoms regressed onto stress exposure. The calculation of the resilience scores was performed before the submission of this preregistration. We aim to test the association between resilience and resilience factors using (1) self-reported trait measures, resilience mechanisms using (2) cognitive regulation of emotion, operationalized with startle EMG in an emotion regulation task, and (3) affective reactivity to real-life acute stressors using ecological momentary assessment
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