We introduce a general framework for constraint satisfaction and optimization where classical CSPs, fuzzy CSPs, weighted CSPs, partial constraint satisfaction, and others can be easily cast. The framework is based on a semiring structure, where the set of the semiring specifies the values to be associated with each tuple of values of the variable domain, and the two semiring operations (+ and X) model constraint projection and combination respectively. Local consistency algorithms, as usually used for classical CSPs, can be exploited in this general framework as well, provided that certain conditions on the semiring operations are satisfied. We then show how this framework can be used to model both old and new constraint solving and optimization schemes, thus allowing one to both formally justify many informally taken choices in existing schemes, and to prove that local consistency techniques can be used also in newly defined schemes.

In this paper we present a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach for evaluation of information technology (IT) security investments. For this purpose, we model security scenarios by using defense trees, an extension of attack trees with attack countermeasures and we use economic quantitative indexes for computing the defender's return on security investment and the attacker's return on attack. We show how our approach can be used to evaluate effectiveness and economic profitability of countermeasures as well as their deterrent effect on attackers, thus providing decision makers with a useful tool for performing better evaluation of IT security investments during the risk management process.

We extend the Constraint Logic Programming (CLP) formalism in order to handle semiring-based constraints. This allows us to perform in the same language both constraint solving and optimization. In fact, constraints based on semirings are able to model both classical constraint solving and more sophisticated features like uncertainty, probability, fuzziness, and optimization. We then provide this class of languages with three equivalent semantics: model-theoretic, fix-point, and proof-theoretic, in the style of classical CLP programs.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationships among hopelessness, cognitive flexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, and perceived stress in a non-clinical sample by proposing a multiple mediation model. It was suggested that hopeless individuals have low cognitive flexibility and high intolerance of uncertainty; consequently, they are more likely to perceive stress. Method: The participants of this study comprised 302 university students (46.7% female and 53.3% male) between 18 and 40 years of age who were recruited from a state university in Turkey. To collect data, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale were applied. Results: The results showed that hopelessness is negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility and positively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. Cognitive flexibility has been found to be negatively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. There is also a positive correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. The mediation of cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between hopelessness and perceived stress is also statistically significant in the model, and all variables explain approximately 37.0% of the variance in perceived stress. Conclusion: The findings of the study are considered to provide a guide for mental health professionals and researchers. Amaç: Bu araştırma klinik olmayan bir örneklemde, çoklu aracılık modeli önererek umutsuzluk, bilişsel esneklik, belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ve algılanan stres arasındaki ilişkileri incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada umutsuz bireylerin düşük düzeyde bilişsel esnekliğe ve yüksek düzeyde belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlüğe sahip olduğu; dolayısıyla algılanan stres düzeylerinin daha yüksek olacağı varsayılmıştır. Yöntem: Araştırmanın katılımcıları Türkiye’deki bir devlet üniversitesine devam eden ve yaşları 18 ile 40 arasında olan 302 öğrenciden (%46.7’si kadın % 53.3’ü erkek ) oluşmaktadır. Verilerin toplanmasında, Beck Umutsuzluk Ölçeği, Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri, Belirsizliğe Tahammülsüz Ölçeği ve Algılanan Stres Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Araştırma bulguları, umutsuzluğun bilişsel esneklik ile negatif yönde, belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ve algılanan stres ile pozitif yönde ilişkili olduğunu göstermiştir. Bilişsel esneklik; belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ve algılanan stres ile negatif yönde ilişkili bulunmuştur. Ayrıca belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlük ve algılanan stres arasında pozitif yönde ilişki vardır. Bilişsel esneklik ve belirsizliğe tahammülsüzlüğün, umutsuzluk ve algılanan stres arasındaki ilişkide aracılığı istatistiksel olarak anlamlıdır ve tüm değişkenler algılanan stresteki varyansın yaklaşık %37’sini açıklamaktadır. Tartışma: Araştırma sonuçlarının ruh sağlığı alanında çalışan profesyoneller ve araştırmacılar için yol gösterici olacağı düşünülmektedir.