Gaussian process convolutions for Bayesian spatial classification

Master's Project (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016We compare three models for their ability to perform binary spatial classification. A geospatial data set consisting of observations that are either permafrost or not is used for this comparison. All three use an underlying Gaussian process. The first model considers this process to represent the log-odds of a positive classification (i.e. as permafrost). The second model uses a cutoff. Any locations where the process is positive are classified positively, while those that are negative are classified negatively. A probability of misclassification then gives the likelihood. The third model depends on two separate processes. The first represents a positive classification, while the second a negative classification. Of these two, the process with greater value at a location provides the classification. A probability of misclassification is also used to formulate the likelihood for this model. In all three cases, realizations of the underlying Gaussian processes were generated using a process convolution. A grid of knots (whose values were sampled using Markov Chain Monte Carlo) were convolved using an anisotropic Gaussian kernel. All three models provided adequate classifications, but the single and two-process models showed much tighter bounds on the border between the two states

Holistic Leadership: A Model for Leader-Member Engagement and Development

Dr. Candis Best explores the theory of holistic leadership and further provides the model and framework for it to be empirically tested. At present, Best opines that holistic leadership produces leadership which supports the development of self-leadership capacity while preparing participating members for the exercise of increasing levels of self-determination and participatory decision-making

Right here, right now: situated interventions to change consumer habits

Consumer behavior-change interventions have traditionally encouraged consumers to form conscious intentions, but in the past decade it has been shown that while these interventions have a medium-to-large effect in changing intentions, they have a much smaller effect in changing behavior. Consumers often do not act in accordance with their conscious intentions because situational cues in the immediate environment automatically elicit learned, habitual behaviors. It has therefore been suggested that researchers refocus their efforts on developing interventions that target unconscious, unintentional influences on behavior, such as cue-behavior (“habit”) associations. To develop effective consumer behavior-change interventions, however, we argue that it is first important to understand how consumer experiences are represented in memory, in order to successfully target the situational cues that most strongly predict engagement in habitual behavior. In this article, we present a situated cognition perspective of habits and discuss how the situated cognition perspective extends our understanding of how consumer experiences are represented in memory, and the processes through which these situational representations can be retrieved in order to elicit habitual consumer behaviors. Based on the principles of situated cognition, we then discuss five ways that interventions could change consumer habits by targeting situational cues in the consumer environment and suggest how existing interventions utilizing these behavior-change strategies could be improved by integrating the principles of the situated cognition approach

The role of simulations in consumer experiences and behavior: insights from the grounded cognition theory of desire

What are the mechanisms by which extrinsic and environmental cues affect consumer experiences, desires, and choices? Based on the recent grounded cognition theory of desire, we argue that consumption and reward simulations constitute a central mechanism in these phenomena. Specifically, we argue that appetitive stimuli, such as specific product cues, can activate simulations of consuming and enjoying the respective products, based on previous learning experiences. These consumption and reward simulations can lead to motivated behavior, and can be modulated by state and trait individual differences, situational factors, and product-extrinsic cues. We outline the role of simulations within the grounded theory of desire, offering a theoretical framework for understanding motivational processes in consumer behavior. Then we illustrate the theory with behavioral, physiological, and neuroimaging findings on simulations in appetitive behavior and sensory marketing. Finally, we outline important issues for further research and applications for stimulating healthy, prosocial, and sustainable consumer choices

QCD on \alpha-Clusters

It is shown that the 21264 Alpha processor can reach about 20% sustained efficiency for the inversion of the Wilson-Dirac operator. Since fast ethernet is not sufficient to get balancing between computation and communication on reasonable lattice- and system-sizes, an interconnection using Myrinet is discussed. We find a price/performance ratio comparable with state-of-the-art SIMD-systems for lattice QCD.Comment: LATTICE99(machines), 3 page

Elements, Sentencing Factors, and the Right to a Jury Trial: An Analysis of Legislative Power and Its Limits

A criminal defendant\u27s sentence is determined not only by facts that must be proven to a jury at trial ( elements of an offense), but also by facts proven to a judge at a sentencing hearing ( sentencing factors ). Perhaps surprisingly, sentencing factors, such as how a firearm was used, may account for a greater proportion of a defendant\u27s term of imprisonment than elements of the offense. This is worrisome because sentencing hearings are procedurally relaxed in comparison to trials and because the government does not include sentencing factors in its indictment, which means a defendant cannot predict how sentencing factors could impact his or her length of imprisonment

A Review of Deafness and Mental Health: A Developmental Approach

Non

Atypical Actors and Tort Law\u27s Expressive Function

The longstanding rule that tort law ignores a person’s cognitive disability in determining whether the person’s conduct was negligent has been consistently criticized as unfair and illogical. This Article challenges those common criticisms. Focusing on the law’s expressive function and the goals of the disability rights movement, the Article argues that the current rule is potentially more progressive than the alternative. However, the rule’s articulated justifications may inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes about cognitive disability. Thus, the Article suggests ways in which courts can retain the current rule without causing expressive harm