Using accelerometer, high sample rate GPS and magnetometer data to develop a cattle movement and behaviour model

The study described in this paper developed a model of animal movement, which explicitly recognised each individual as the central unit of measure. The model was developed by learning from a real dataset that measured and calculated, for individual cows in a herd, their linear and angular positions and directional and angular speeds. Two learning algorithms were implemented: a Hidden Markov model (HMM) and a long-term prediction algorithm. It is shown that a HMM can be used to describe the animal's movement and state transition behaviour within several “stay” areas where cows remained for long periods. Model parameters were estimated for hidden behaviour states such as relocating, foraging and bedding. For cows’ movement between the “stay” areas a long-term prediction algorithm was implemented. By combining these two algorithms it was possible to develop a successful model, which achieved similar results to the animal behaviour data collected. This modelling methodology could easily be applied to interactions of other animal specie

Preventing organised crime

This monograph describes research undertaken between 2015 and 2016 into factors precipitating involvement in organised crime in a conurbation in northern England. The research methodology consisted of six quantitative and qualitative elements. The researchers found that, while a small number of upper eschelon Organised Crime Group (OCG) nominals lived in comparative opulence, most were located in low income, high crime neighbourhoods, in which there was a tradition of organised criminality and violence. Their families were characterised by high levels of domestic violence. The research revealed that a multiplicity of agencies had intervened with these families, often to little effect, and the monogram concludes with recommendations concerning how policing and non-policing agencies might work together more effectively to reduce both familial and criminal violence

An Investigation of the Relationship between Professional Learning Community Practices and Student Achievement in an Eastern Canadian School Board

Abstract The participants in this study were teachers and students of a large school district located on the east coast of Canada. We distributed surveys to 1514 teachers across 84 schools with1423 usable surveys having been completed for a return rate of 94%. At the time of the second data collection, three years later, 78 schools with a total of 1574 teachers agreed to participate. Teachers’ perceptions of their schools as professional learning communities were assessed using 32 items in a 5-point Likert format. The responses to the 2006 survey were factor analyzed using ML estimation. A number of different factor structures were tested, including a single factor model and a second-order factor analysis. In spite of a heavy emphasis by school board leaders and the collaborative development, introduction, and implementation of PLC practices before and during the study period, no significant measurable effect on student learning was identified. While this particular study reports only the relationship between PLC practice usage and reading achievement, Hurley, Sheppard, and Seifert are also investigating two other areas of efficacy in this line of study; one that investigates the relationship with high school Mathematics achievement and one that examines school size and student achievement as mediated by PLC practic

Manipulation of subsurface carbon nanoparticles in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ using a scanning tunneling microscope

We present evidence that subsurface carbon nanoparticles in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ can be manipulated with nanometer precision using a scanning tunneling microscope. High-resolution images indicate that most of the carbon particles remain subsurface after transport observable as a local increase in height as the particle pushes up on the surface. Tunneling spectra in the vicinity of these protrusions exhibit semiconducting characteristics with a band gap of approximately 1.8 eV, indicating that the incorporation of carbon locally alters the electronic properties near the surface

Maine Gay Task Force Newsletter, Vol.3, No.06 (June 1976)

https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/megtf/1014/thumbnail.jp

Maine Gay Task Force Newsletter, Vol.3, No.07 (July 1976)

https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/megtf/1015/thumbnail.jp

Maine Gay Task Force Newsletter, Vol.3, No.03 (March 1976)

https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/megtf/1011/thumbnail.jp

Maine Gay Task Force Newsletter, Vol.3, No.04 (April 1976)

https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/megtf/1012/thumbnail.jp