The aim of this study is to develop a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based system that recognizes pleasant and unpleasant human emotions based on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in order to understand the minds of patients whose brain function is severely impaired. The forehead region is easily accessible to NIRS measurements, whereas the role of the anterior prefrontal cortex (PFC) in the processing of emotion remains to be elucidated. METHODSInitially, using event-related NIRS we examined changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) as an indicator of regional CBF changes, which reflect brain activity directly related to emotions, but not to cognitive operations in the anterior frontal regions, during viewing affective pictures. The event-related potentials (ERPs), systemic blood pressure, and pulse rate were also measured simultaneously. RESULTSThe event-related analysis of changes in oxy-Hb for a 6 s-picture presentation period showed that very unpleasant emotion was accompanied by an increase in oxy-Hb in the bilateral ventrolateral PFCs, while very pleasant emotion was accompanied by a decrease in oxy-Hb in the left dorsolateral PFC. There were no significant differences in either ERPs or autonomic nervous system activities between the two emotional states. CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest the possibility of recognizing patients' emotions from CBF changes.

No abstract

How to improve the predictive accuracy of box office revenue with social media data is a big challenge and is particularly important for movie distributors and cinema operators. In this research, we find that microblogging UGC (MUGC) is a significant predictor of box office revenue and has stronger predictive power than UGC on Douban! Movies (DUGC) based on our examination of 60 movies released in China in 2012. To increase the attendance rate of movies, cinema operators can consider previous valence and volume of MUGC before scheduling the current film screenings because these messages can quickly predict the future box office revenue of a movie. Besides, we find that the volume of enterprise microblogs (i.e., MGC) can predict both box office revenue and MUGC, indicating that movie distributors should optimize their online media strategy by shifting more resources to utilizing enterprise microblogging. Although rebroadcasting volume from microblogging platforms does not predict box office revenue directly, it can indirectly predict it via MGC. Accordingly, compared with third-party platforms, rebroadcasting as one of the key distinct functions of microblogging platforms also shows its usefulness in box office revenue prediction. Overall, metrics from microblogging platforms are more effective in predicting box office revenue than those from third-party platforms.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The objective was to evaluate the 3-year experience of a high-risk case management (HRCM) pilot program for adults with an AARP Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plan. Participants were provided in-person visits as well as telephonic and mailed services to improve care coordination from December 1, 2008, to December 31, 2011. Included were adults who had an AARP Medigap Insurance Plan, resided in 1 of 5 pilot states, and had a Hierarchical Condition Category score > 3.74, or were referred into the program. Propensity score weighting was used to adjust for case-mix differences among 2015 participants and 7626 qualified but nonparticipating individuals. Participants were in the program an average of 15.4 months. After weighting, multiple regression analyses were used to estimate differences in quality of care and health care expenditures between participants and nonparticipants. Increased duration in the program was associated with fewer hospital readmissions. Additionally, participants were significantly more likely to have recurring office visits and recommended laboratory tests. The program demonstrated $7.7 million in savings over the 3 years, resulting in a return on investment of $1.40 saved for every dollar spent on the program. Savings increased each year from 2009 to 2011 and with longer length of engagement. The majority of savings were realized by the federal Medicare program. This study focused on quality of care and savings for an HRCM program designed solely for Medicare members with Medicare Supplement coverage. This program had a favorable impact on quality of care and demonstrated savings over a 3-year period. (Population Health Management 2015;18:93-103)

Light elicits non-visual effects on a wide range of biological functions and behavior. These effects are mediated by a melanopsin-based photoreceptor system that is very sensitive to blue light (440-480 nm) relative to the three-cone visual photopic system. The aim of the current study was to assess the time-of-day-dependent effects of two different wavelength monochromatic lights at 458 nm and 550 nm on human cognitive function. We conducted an experiment in the daytime and nighttime on different days. Twelve subjects were selected, none of whom was either morning-type or eveningtype, as assessed by a translated version of the morningness/ eveningness questionnaire. The cognitive function was measured by event-related potential (ERP) using an oddball task, and arousal level was measured by the Alpha Attenuation Test (AAT). We found that 458 nm light exposure caused a significantly larger P300 amplitude than occurred with 550 nm light. There was a significant interaction among wavelength, time of day, and electrode site. Exposure to 458 nm light induced a larger P300 amplitude at nighttime than in the daytime at the Fz electrode site. The Alpha Attenuation Coefficient (AAC) at nighttime was higher than in the daytime. Our results suggest that short wavelength monochromatic light can affect the circadian rhythms of cognitive functions, and indicate that these effects are mediated by a melanopsin-based photoreceptor system. This study has extended previous findings in terms of time of day, and higher cognitive function by using an endogenous ERP component, P300.