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Siyam N, Abdallah S. Toward automatic motivator selection for autism behavior intervention therapy. Univers Access Inf Soc 2022; 22:1-23. [PMID: 36160369 PMCID: PMC9483340 DOI: 10.1007/s10209-022-00914-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) usually show little interest in academic activities and may display disruptive behavior when presented with assignments. Research indicates that incorporating motivational variables during interventions results in improvements in behavior and academic performance. However, the impact of such motivational variables varies between children. In this paper, we aim to address the problem of selecting the right motivator for children with ASD using reinforcement learning by adapting to the most influential factors impacting the effectiveness of the contingent motivator used. We model the task of selecting a motivator as a Markov decision process problem. The states, actions and rewards design consider the factors that impact the effectiveness of a motivator based on applied behavior analysis as well as learners' individual preferences. We use a Q-learning algorithm to solve the modeled problem. Our proposed solution is then implemented as a mobile application developed for special education plans coordination. To evaluate the motivator selection feature, we conduct a study involving a group of teachers and therapists and assess how the added feature aids the participants in their decision-making process of selecting a motivator. Preliminary results indicated that the motivator selection feature improved the usability of the mobile app. Analysis of the algorithm performance showed promising results and indicated improvement of the recommendations over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Siyam
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, British University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sherief Abdallah
- Faculty of Engineering and IT, British University in Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Sun CH, Li BB, Wang B, Zhao J, Zhang XY, Li TT, Li WB, Tang D, Qiu MJ, Wang XC, Zhu CM, Qian ZR. The role of Fusobacterium nucleatum in colorectal cancer: from carcinogenesis to clinical management. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2019; 5:178-187. [PMID: 31891129 PMCID: PMC6926109 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor that affects people worldwide. Metagenomic analyses have shown an enrichment of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) in colorectal carcinoma tissue; many studies have indicated that F. nucleatum is closely related to the colorectal carcinogenesis. In this review, we provide the latest information to reveal the related molecular mechanisms. The known virulence factors of F. nucleatum promote adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells via FadA and Fap2. Besides, Fap2 also binds to immune cells causing immunosuppression. Furthermore, F. nucleatum recruits tumor-infiltrating immune cells, thus yielding a pro-inflammatory microenvironment, which promotes colorectal neoplasia progression. F. nucleatum was also found to potentiate CRC development through toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling and microRNA (miRNA)-21 expression. In addition, F. nucleatum increases CRC recurrence along with chemoresistance by mediating a molecular network of miRNA-18a*, miRNA-4802, and autophagy components. Moreover, viable F. nucleatum was detected in mouse xenografts of human primary colorectal adenocarcinomas through successive passages. These findings indicated that an increased number of F. nucleatum in the tissues is a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, and the underlying molecular mechanism can probably provide a potential intervention treatment strategy for patients with F. nucleatum-associated CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hui Sun
- Equipe Communication Intercellulaire et Infections Microbiennes, Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Biologie (CIRB), Collège de France, Paris 75005, France.,Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Bin-Bin Li
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Oncology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Xiao-Ying Zhang
- Health Management Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Ting-Ting Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Wen-Bing Li
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Di Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Miao-Juan Qiu
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Xin-Cheng Wang
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Cheng-Ming Zhu
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
| | - Zhi-Rong Qian
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518107, China
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Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies, with an increasing incidence. With advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation and the development of molecular-target drugs, a number of potentially curative treatments have become available. Management of HCC patients depends on the stage of their tumor. Liver resection remains the first choice for very early-stage HCC, but it is being challenged by local ablative therapy. For early-stage HCC that meet the Milan criteria, liver transplantation still offers a better outcome; however, local ablative therapy can be a substitute when transplantation is not feasible. Local ablation is also used as a bridging therapy toward liver transplantation. HCC recurrence is the main obstacle to successful treatment, and there is currently no effective means of preventing or treating HCC recurrence. Transarterial therapy is considered suitable for intermediate-stage HCC, while sorafenib is recommended for advanced-stage HCC. This stage-based approach to therapy not only provides acceptable outcomes but also improves the quality of life of HCC patients. Because of the complexity of HCC, therapeutic approaches must be adapted according to the characteristics of each individual patient. This review discusses the current standards and trends in the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Schemmer
- *Deptment of General and Transplant Surgery, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, Heidelberg 69120 (Germany), Tel. +49 0 6221 56 6110, E-Mail
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