Bayesian nonparametric multivariate convex regression

In many applications, such as economics, operations research and reinforcement learning, one often needs to estimate a multivariate regression function f subject to a convexity constraint. For example, in sequential decision processes the value of a state under optimal subsequent decisions may be known to be convex or concave. We propose a new Bayesian nonparametric multivariate approach based on characterizing the unknown regression function as the max of a random collection of unknown hyperplanes. This specification induces a prior with large support in a Kullback-Leibler sense on the space of convex functions, while also leading to strong posterior consistency. Although we assume that f is defined over R^p, we show that this model has a convergence rate of log(n)^{-1} n^{-1/(d+2)} under the empirical L2 norm when f actually maps a d dimensional linear subspace to R. We design an efficient reversible jump MCMC algorithm for posterior computation and demonstrate the methods through application to value function approximation

ACT victims of crime referral project: final report

This report presents the findings of a project funded by Victim Support ACT and ACT Policing to examine the experiences of victims referred by police to support services and the operation of the referral process in the ACT. Since the completion of the report in 2009, Victim Support ACT and ACT Policing have used it to facilitate better access to support services for people affected by crime. Following the establishment of the Victims Advisory Board in 2011, the Victims of Crime Commissioner sought the support of the Board to progress matters that had been raised in the report. The Commissioner was of the view that the Board, having a function to develop and maintain protocols and procedures for the treatment of victims by agencies involved in the administration of justice, was well placed to assist Victim Support ACT and ACT Policing to progress these issues. To assist the Board to perform this function, the report is now being published to allow public access to the information

Interview with an octopus

Thesis (S.M. in Science Writing)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Humanities, Graduate Program in Science Writing, 2012.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-26).Octopuses are extraordinary creatures: Despite their numerous biological divergences from humans, they display impressive intelligence. Aquarists and scientists alike have noted instances of octopuses having what appear to be personalities, and some (Roland Anderson and Jennifer Mather) have gone so far as to propose that octopuses are just as capable of having personalities as humans. There has been significant push-back from ethologists (Roger Hanlon and David Sinn) who instead say that this is the result of projection, and that animal behavior science ought to take a more quantitative and experimental approach to studies of behavior. The case of the octopus is a valuable opportunity to consider how we as humans go about observing animal behavior. The contentious debate over whether to apply human terms like personality to animals may ultimately tell us more about the nature of humans as observers than the animals themselves. Octopuses provide a philosophical mirror by which we can consider our propensity to look at the world through a decidedly human lens.by Hannah Lauren Krakauer.S.M.in Science Writin

Obstinate, Impertinent, Ill-Conditioned : Child Labor, Exploitation and Xenophobia in the British Home Children Movement

An examination of the British Home Children program as a movement rooted in child labor, misguided philanthropy, and the exploitation of poor child immigrants

Lower-Socioeconomic Status Patients in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Clinical Characteristics, Attendance, and Implications for Future Practice

The importance of cardiac rehabilitation after many coronary events such as a myocardial infarction and bypass surgery, as well as heart failure more recently is well established in the medical community. Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to decrease the rate of the atherosclerotic process and reduce rates of subsequent coronary events (Haskell et al, 1994). It has additionally been shown that those who attend cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have reduced rates of mortality from both cardiovascular-specific as well as cardiovascular-nonspecific causes and rehospitalization (Ades, 2001; Heran et al, 2011). One variable consistently correlated with poor attendance is lower-socioeconomic status (lower-SES). Even when referred to a cardiac rehabilitation program, individuals with a lower socioeconomic status are less likely to attend cardiac rehabilitation than higher-SES individuals (Cooper et al, 2002; Valencia et al, 2011). The purpose of this research was to characterize lower-SES population in the CR program at University of Vermont Medical Center. By examining the lower-SES population on clinical characteristics, attendance, and clinical improvement within the program we can determine if this population has special needs and if the program needs to be tailored to help the lower-SES population both to stay in CR and to get the most out of the program. Notable results included that lower-SES patients tend to be younger than higher-SES patients at intake, and that they tend to have worse fitness and depression scores and be more likely to smoke, but have fewer comorbidities. The lower-SES population also had a higher dropout rate in the first eleven sessions. Within completers, the lower-SES and higher-SES populations both tended to make significant gains in fitness, quality of life, depression, strength, and body composition

The Global Citizen, Global Trust, and National Privilege: A Study of Individualized Identity in a Globalized World

This study examines how the ongoing globalization process has shaped people\u27s citizenship idenitities and values toward the distribution of political and economic benefits at the national level. These research questions are asked: Are people actually becoming more globalized? Are they developing a sense of global trust toward one another? Moreover, how do these global outlooks vary across different groups of individuals based on some key demographic identifiers such as age, education level, and social class? Using wave 5 and wave 6 from the World Values Survey dataset, this study examines these research questions in the context of nine high-income countries. The findings from binary and ordinal logistic regressions and Chi-square anallyses suggest that individual-level factors help produce variation in people\u27s citizenship identities and global trust. In particular, it is found that an individual\u27s social class and education level are statistically significant in predicting if indvidiuals have more globalized views

Elucidating the behavioral response of stored product insects to fungal volatiles in the wind tunnel and simulated warehouses

Post-harvest pest insects can cause significant amounts of damage to stored products in and around food facilities, reducing quantity and quality of grains. Post-harvest insects have been attributed to billions of dollars in agricultural loss via yield loss and the cost of mitigation measures. Early detection of insect pests is crucial to preventing infestations and losses since some species of stored product pests are becoming resistant to common control options. Numerous detection methods are available, but many are time consuming and ineffective, leading to a need for more effective and practical monitoring methods. Grain oils have been used to induce behavioral responses in the red flour beetle (Triboliumcastaneum) and the lesser grain borer (Rhyzoperthadominica), but fungal volatiles may be an even stronger attractant to these species