Sparsity-Promoting Bayesian Dynamic Linear Models

Sparsity-promoting priors have become increasingly popular over recent years due to an increased number of regression and classification applications involving a large number of predictors. In time series applications where observations are collected over time, it is often unrealistic to assume that the underlying sparsity pattern is fixed. We propose here an original class of flexible Bayesian linear models for dynamic sparsity modelling. The proposed class of models expands upon the existing Bayesian literature on sparse regression using generalized multivariate hyperbolic distributions. The properties of the models are explored through both analytic results and simulation studies. We demonstrate the model on a financial application where it is shown that it accurately represents the patterns seen in the analysis of stock and derivative data, and is able to detect major events by filtering an artificial portfolio of assets

Nurses as role models in health promotion: a concept analysis

There are national and international expectations that nurses are healthy role models but there is a lack of clarity about what this concept means. This study used concept analysis methodology to provide theoretical clarity for the concept of role models in health promoting behaviour for registered nurses and students. The framework included analysis of literature and qualitative data from six focus groups and one interview. Participants (n=39) included pre-registration students (Adult field), nurse lecturers and registered nurses (RNs), working in NHS Trusts across London and South East London. From the findings, being a role model in health promoting behaviour involves being an exemplar, portraying a healthy image (being fit and healthy), and championing health and wellness. Personal attributes of a role model in health promoting behaviour include being: caring, non-judgemental, trustworthy, inspiring and motivating, self-caring, knowledgeable and self-confident, innovative, professional and having a deep sense of self

Diaspora Philanthropy: Influences, Initiatives, and Issues

Analyzes the evolution of the interest in and practice of giving by diasporas in the United States to their countries of origin, organizations and models promoting it, influencing factors, and promising strategies and initiatives for increasing impact

Conforming and performing planning: an unbearable cohabitation

Territorial governance in Europe is managed by two models of planning: a more traditional and common one, aspiring to ‘conform' single projects to a collective strategy; a novel and less institutionalised one, promoting projects able to ‘perform' the collective strategy. The present contribution argues that current cohabitation of these two models is no longer bearable and that, particularly, conforming ambitions should be abandone

Robotic technology evolution and transfer

A report concerning technology transfer in the area of robotics is presented in vugraph form. The following topics are discussed: definition of technology innovation and tech-transfer; concepts relevant for understanding tech-transfer; models advanced to portray tech-transfer process; factors identified as promoting tech-transfer; factors identified as impeding tech-transfer; what important roles do individuals fulfill in tech-transfer; federal infrastructure for promoting tech-transfer; federal infrastructure for promoting tech-transfer; robotic technology evolution; robotic technology transferred; and recommendations for successful robotics tech-transfer

Promoting metalanguage awareness among CLIL content teachers

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an approach particularly implemented and investigated in Europe. CLIL usually refers to the teaching of a subject or curricular content together with another language (Dale & Tanner, 2012). Conceived as an umbrella term, the multiplicity of models found in practice (Coyle, Hood, & Marsh, 2010) may be placed along a continuum which moves from content-driven models such as bilingual education to language-driven models such as project work. The Roles of Language in CLIL is positioned at the content end with a two-fold aim: examining discourse and genres in the CLIL classroom and promoting language awareness among CLIL content teachers

The transtheoretical model and obesity: a bibliometric study

The Transtheoretical Model of behaviour change is currently one of the most promising models in terms of understanding and promoting behaviour change related to the acquisition of healthy living habits. By means of a bibliographic search of papers adopting a TTM approach to obesity, the present bibliometric study enables the scientific output in this field to be evaluated. The results obtained reveal a growing interest in applying this model to both the treatment of obesity and its prevention. Otherwise, author and journal outputs fit the models proposed by Lotka and Bradford, respectively