Sieve estimation in a Markov illness-death process under dual censoring

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Bioinformatics following peer review. The version of record Boruvka, Audrey and Cook, Richard J. (2016). Biostatistics, 17(2): 350-363. DOI: 10.1093/biostatistics/kxv042 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biostatistics/kxv042Semiparametric methods are well-established for the analysis of a progressive Markov illness-death process observed up to a noninformative right censoring time. However often the intermediate and terminal events are censored in different ways, leading to a dual censoring scheme. In such settings unbiased estimation of the cumulative transition intensity functions cannot be achieved without some degree of smoothing. To overcome this problem we develop a sieve maximum likelihood approach for inference on the hazard ratio. A simulation study shows that the sieve estimator offers improved finite-sample performance over common imputation-based alternatives and is robust to some forms of dependent censoring. The proposed method is illustrated using data from cancer trials.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (RGPIN 155849); Canadian Institutes for Health Research (FRN 13887); Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) – CIHR funded (950-226626

A study of identity formation in the London investment banking sector

This thesis seeks to investigate identity formation within the London investment banking sector in the context of career development. The sector has undergone a host of changes in the past two decades. The ‘Old City’ was distinguished by trust, reputation and stability which was informally regulated through a kinship network comprised of a social elite. De-regulation in 1986 ushered in the ‘New City’ characterised by individualistic competition, inflated capital sums, truncated careers, volatility and diversification. Existing research concerning identity has largely focussed on how ‘Old City’ class and gender relations continue to predominate and shape career opportunities. Scholars have highlighted how patterns of privilege and exclusion are reproduced through a variety of ‘performances,’ disadvantaging those who are unable to access a limited range of acceptable class and gender positions. This study takes a different starting point to explore how ‘performance’ may play a role in identity work to further careers but in a way which is attentive to the distinctive conditions of the New City. Specifically, this research explores how identity may be constructed and constantly re-worked and revised, drawing upon a range of different resources within a highly diverse setting. The thesis seeks to engage with this research agenda by applying Giddens (1984; 1991) theoretical framework on self-identity, reflexivity and performance. A longitudinal research design was used to elicit qualitative data from six senior investment bank employees, gathering accounts on changes experienced over the period of a year as well as past events. The thesis investigates how a biographical narrative was reflexively maintained via the accommodation and perpetuation of a variety of different performances within a series of social terrains. These in turn served to reproduce the broader financial institutional context. A further contribution is developed which focuses on the theoretical interplays between selfidentity, reflexivity and performance through a detailed analysis of the empirical materials

Mobilising communities to address alcohol harm : an Alcohol Health Champion approach

In this article, Cathy Ure et al. look at engaging communities in order to reduce alcohol harms. By training Alcohol Health Champions, individuals can support vulnerable friends and family, and work within their communities to influence policy and promote change

Walkability Analysis of the Self-Guided Walking Tour in Downtown Durham, North Carolina

No abstract availabl

Cinematherapy in Gifted Education Identity Development: Integrating the Arts Through STEM-themed Movies

Gifted students, because of their advanced development compared to peers, have emotional needs that require differentiated education programs. Asynchronous social and emotional development of gifted students often leads to identity issues. Cinematherapy can be used to help gifted students explore their identities through analysis of the actions of gifted characters in films. This practical article suggests STEM-themed movies with characters facing challenges useful for gifted student identity development. The Autonomous Learners Model is used to classify gifted learners in the movies to assist teachers in matching movies to the needs of gifted learners. Tables of STEM-themed movies with gifted characters and a general list of discussion questions are provided. Finally, example Andy Warhol-inspired digital art projects related to iconic NASA space images that fit with space-themed movies are provided to allow gifted students to express the identity issues with which they wrestle and their insights about their personal character strengths

A study of identity formation in the London investment banking sector

This thesis seeks to investigate identity formation within the London investment banking sector in the context of career development. The sector has undergone a host of changes in the past two decades. The ‘Old City’ was distinguished by trust, reputation and stability which was informally regulated through a kinship network comprised of a social elite. De-regulation in 1986 ushered in the ‘New City’ characterised by individualistic competition, inflated capital sums, truncated careers, volatility and diversification. Existing research concerning identity has largely focussed on how ‘Old City’ class and gender relations continue to predominate and shape career opportunities. Scholars have highlighted how patterns of privilege and exclusion are reproduced through a variety of ‘performances,’ disadvantaging those who are unable to access a limited range of acceptable class and gender positions. This study takes a different starting point to explore how ‘performance’ may play a role in identity work to further careers but in a way which is attentive to the distinctive conditions of the New City. Specifically, this research explores how identity may be constructed and constantly re-worked and revised, drawing upon a range of different resources within a highly diverse setting. The thesis seeks to engage with this research agenda by applying Giddens (1984; 1991) theoretical framework on self-identity, reflexivity and performance. A longitudinal research design was used to elicit qualitative data from six senior investment bank employees, gathering accounts on changes experienced over the period of a year as well as past events. The thesis investigates how a biographical narrative was reflexively maintained via the accommodation and perpetuation of a variety of different performances within a series of social terrains. These in turn served to reproduce the broader financial institutional context. A further contribution is developed which focuses on the theoretical interplays between selfidentity, reflexivity and performance through a detailed analysis of the empirical materials.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

A study of identity formation in the London investment banking sector

This thesis seeks to investigate identity formation within the London investment banking sector in the context of career development. The sector has undergone a host of changes in the past two decades. The ‘Old City’ was distinguished by trust, reputation and stability which was informally regulated through a kinship network comprised of a social elite. De-regulation in 1986 ushered in the ‘New City’ characterised by individualistic competition, inflated capital sums, truncated careers, volatility and diversification. Existing research concerning identity has largely focussed on how ‘Old City’ class and gender relations continue to predominate and shape career opportunities. Scholars have highlighted how patterns of privilege and exclusion are reproduced through a variety of ‘performances,’ disadvantaging those who are unable to access a limited range of acceptable class and gender positions. This study takes a different starting point to explore how ‘performance’ may play a role in identity work to further careers but in a way which is attentive to the distinctive conditions of the New City. Specifically, this research explores how identity may be constructed and constantly re-worked and revised, drawing upon a range of different resources within a highly diverse setting. The thesis seeks to engage with this research agenda by applying Giddens (1984; 1991) theoretical framework on self-identity, reflexivity and performance. A longitudinal research design was used to elicit qualitative data from six senior investment bank employees, gathering accounts on changes experienced over the period of a year as well as past events. The thesis investigates how a biographical narrative was reflexively maintained via the accommodation and perpetuation of a variety of different performances within a series of social terrains. These in turn served to reproduce the broader financial institutional context. A further contribution is developed which focuses on the theoretical interplays between selfidentity, reflexivity and performance through a detailed analysis of the empirical materials.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

The fecal microbiome in dogs with acute diarrhea and idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease.

Recent molecular studies have revealed a highly complex bacterial assembly in the canine intestinal tract. There is mounting evidence that microbes play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic enteropathies of dogs, including idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial microbiota in dogs with various gastrointestinal disorders. Fecal samples from healthy dogs (n = 32), dogs with acute non-hemorrhagic diarrhea (NHD; n = 12), dogs with acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (AHD; n = 13), and dogs with active (n = 9) and therapeutically controlled idiopathic IBD (n = 10) were analyzed by 454-pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and qPCR assays. Dogs with acute diarrhea, especially those with AHD, had the most profound alterations in their microbiome, as significant separations were observed on PCoA plots of unweighted Unifrac distances. Dogs with AHD had significant decreases in Blautia, Ruminococcaceae including Faecalibacterium, and Turicibacter spp., and significant increases in genus Sutterella and Clostridium perfringens when compared to healthy dogs. No significant separation on PCoA plots was observed for the dogs with IBD. Faecalibacterium spp. and Fusobacteria were, however, decreased in the dogs with clinically active IBD, but increased during time periods of clinically insignificant IBD, as defined by a clinical IBD activity index (CIBDAI). Results of this study revealed a bacterial dysbiosis in fecal samples of dogs with various GI disorders. The observed changes in the microbiome differed between acute and chronic disease states. The bacterial groups that were commonly decreased during diarrhea are considered to be important short-chain fatty acid producers and may be important for canine intestinal health. Future studies should correlate these observed phylogenetic differences with functional changes in the intestinal microbiome of dogs with defined disease phenotypes

A cost-utility analysis of multivitamin and multimineral supplements in men and women aged 65 years and over

Background and Aims As people age there is a progressive dysregulation of the immune system that may lead to an increased risk of infections, which may precipitate hospital admission in people with chronic heart or respiratory diseases. Mineral and vitamin supplementation in older people could therefore influence infections in older people. However, the evidence from the available randomised controlled trials is mixed. The aim of the study was to assess the relative efficiency of multivitamin and multimineral supplementation compared with no supplementation. Methods Cost-utility analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial. Participants aged 65 years or over from six general practices in Grampian, Scotland were studied. They were randomised to one tablet daily of either a multivitamin and multimineral supplement or matching placebo. Exclusion criteria were: use of mineral, vitamin or fish oil supplements in the previous three months (one month for water soluble vitamins), vitamin B12 injection in the last three months. Results Nine hundred and ten participants were recruited (454 placebo and 456 supplementation). Use of health service resources and costs were similar between the two groups. The supplementation arm was more costly although this was not statistically significant (£15 per person, 95% CI -3.75 to 34.95). After adjusting for minimisation and baseline EQ-5D scores supplementation was associated with fewer QALYs per person (–0.018, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.002). It was highly unlikely that supplementation would be considered cost-effective. Conclusions The evidence from this study suggests that it is highly unlikely that supplementation could be considered cost-effective.Peer reviewedAuthor versio