University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Politics. The organization has 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

A clustering-based fuzzy wavelet neural network model for short-term load forecasting.

Abstract: Load forecasting is a critical element of power system operation, involving prediction of the future level of demand to serve as the basis for supply and demand planning. This paper presents the development of a novel clustering-based fuzzy wavelet neural network (CB-FWNN) model and validates its prediction on the short-term electric load forecasting of the Power System of the Greek Island of Crete. The proposed model is obtained from the traditional Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy system by replacing the THEN part of fuzzy rules with a "multiplication" wavelet neural network (MWNN). Multidimensional Gaussian type of activation functions have been used in the IF part of the fuzzyrules. A Fuzzy Subtractive Clustering scheme is employed as a pre-processing technique to find out the initial set and adequate number of clusters and ultimately the number of multiplication nodes in MWNN, while Gaussian Mixture Models with the Expectation Maximization algorithm are utilized for the definition of the multidimensional Gaussians. The results corresponding to the minimum and maximum power load indicate that the proposed load forecasting model provides significantly accurate forecasts, compared to conventional neural networks models.

Social class, sex, and age differences in mucosal immunity in a large community sample.

Abstract: There have been very few reports addressing levels and distribution of commonly used PNI measures in large community samples. In this study, we report such data for secretion rates of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), as determined from saliva samples taken from 1971 subjects interviewed as part of the West of Scotland Twenty-07 survey of health in West Central Scotland. Univariate analyses of demographic variables found lower sIgA and salivary flow to be significantly related to poorer social class, increased age, and being female. Smokers also had lower sIgA but not lower salivary flow. Multivariate analysis showed that demographic variables were significant predictors of sIgA independently of each other and assay variation. Adding smoking status to the equation confirmed it as an independent predictor and also indicated that social class differences in sIgA are partly explicable in terms of smoking status. In view of reported associations between sIgA levels and stress, its role as a first line of mucosal defense, and its relevance to health, these first results from a large survey are of interest. Further work is now needed to explore which factors, including psychosocial ones, may be contributing to subgroup differences.

"How to spot a psychopath". Lay theories of psychopathy.

Abstract: The present study examined lay recognition of psychopathy and beliefs about the behavioural manifestations, aetiology, and treatments of psychopathy A community sample of 232 participants completed a questionnaire consisting of a vignette-identification task, a ratings task of 45 attitudinal items about psychopathy, and demographics Analysis of the vignette-identification data showed that participants were significantly less likely to correctly identify a case of psychopathy than they were of either depression or schizophrenia Factors derived from principal components analysis of the attitudinal items revealed that participants generally believed psychopaths to be intelligent and to have criminal tendencies, and that psychopathy was likely caused by early trauma and stress Overall, participants may have had monological beliefs about the manifestations, aetiology, and treatments of psychopathy These results suggest that educational programmes are required to improve mental health literacy in relation to psychopathy among the general public

Salivary Cortisol as a Biomarker in Social Science Research

Abstract: Cortisol, a neuroendocrine hormone measurable in saliva, responds to internal and external triggers In providing a peripheral ‘window on the brain’, it has been increasingly incorporated into social psychological studies Cortisol secretion can be studied in two main ways, examination of acute stress reactivity and examination of the basal circadian patterns These can inform aspects of acute and chronic stress exposure and relationships with health Within non-clinical populations, cortisol effects are largely driven by differences in the perception of threat For social psychologists, this provides an interesting avenue for the investigation of social factors that mediate perceptions of threat, such as social support, relationship processes, and group dynamics in acute and chronic stress This paper provides a background to understanding the regulation and function of cortisol, and issues arising in relation to its measurement in saliva It discusses and makes recommendations on the use of appropriate cortisol measures in the study of both acute and chronic stress Used and interpreted appropriately, stress reactivity and basal ambulatory measures of salivary cortisol can provide a valuable adjunct to self-report and observation in social psychological research