In this paper, we first introduce two one-parameter relaxation (OPR) iterative methods for solving singular saddle point problems whose semi-convergence rate can be accelerated by using scaled preconditioners. Next we present formulas for finding their optimal parameters which yield the best semi-convergence rate. Lastly, numerical experiments are provided to examine the efficiency of the OPR m...

This paper introduces a novel approach for contour-based shape matching named as Constructive Relaxation Matching (CRM). In image matching relying on a particular modeling method, apparently similar images can be judged as being quite distant, according to the nature of the modeling process. In the proposed CRM, the modeling stage for a novel input image contour, commonly done in the same proce...

Hypnosis has been shown to be efficacious in a range of clinical conditions, including the management of chronic pain. However, not all individuals are able to enter a hypnotic state, thereby limiting the clinical utility of this technique. We sought to determine whether hypnotic susceptibility could be increased using three methods thought to facilitate relaxation, with particular interest in ...

BACKGROUND A review of the effectiveness of relaxation techniques for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients has shown inconsistent results, but studies have varied in terms of technique and outcome measures. AIM To determine patient preference for different relaxation techniques. METHODS Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients were presented with six techniques via a DVD and...

BACKGROUND The traditional approach to the measurement of change presents important drawbacks (no information at individual level, ordinal scores, variance of the measurement instrument across time points), which Rasch models overcome. The article aims to illustrate the features of the measurement of change with Rasch models. METHODS To illustrate the measurement of change using Rasch models,...

The aim of the study was to elucidate the immediate, intermediate, and anticipatory sleepiness reducing effects of a salutogenic self-care procedure called progressive muscle relaxation (PMR), during lunch breaks. The second exploratory aim deals with determining the onset and long-term time course of sleepiness changes. In order to evaluate the intraday range and interday change of the propose...

Biological motion stimuli, such as orthographically projected stick figure walkers, are ambiguous about their orientation in depth. The projection of a stick figure walker oriented towards the viewer, therefore, is the same as its projection when oriented away. Even though such figures are depth-ambiguous, however, observers tend to interpret them as facing towards them more often than facing a...

In this systematic single-case study, a 71-year-old white female with chronic back pain and paravertebral muscle spasm was treated with 17 sessions of electromyographic (EMG) feedback, with recording site just below the right inferior scapular angle. Progressive relaxation practice was also employed. EMG level was monitored during baseline, treatment, and follow-up phases. Backaches were record...

Seismic velocity changes and nonvolcanic tremor activity in the Parkfield area in California reveal that large earthquakes induce long-term perturbations of crustal properties in the San Andreas fault zone. The 2003 San Simeon and 2004 Parkfield earthquakes both reduced seismic velocities that were measured from correlations of the ambient seismic noise and induced an increased nonvolcanic trem...

Three boys meeting multiple criteria for hyperactivity received Behavioral Relaxation Training (BRT) in their homes from their parents, under the supervision of the experimenter. BRT involved modeling, prompting, token reinforcement, and praise, for ten overt relaxed behaviors. All children learned to relax to a criterion of at least 80% on the Behavioral Relaxation Scale (BRS), an objective me...