Bayesian Inference in Estimation of Distribution Algorithms

Metaheuristics such as Estimation of Distribution Algorithms and the Cross-Entropy method use probabilistic modelling and inference to generate candidate solutions in optimization problems. The model fitting task in this class of algorithms has largely been carried out to date based on maximum likelihood. An alternative approach that is prevalent in statistics and machine learning is to use Bayesian inference. In this paper, we provide a framework for the application of Bayesian inference techniques in probabilistic model-based optimization. Based on this framework, a simple continuous Bayesian Estimation of Distribution Algorithm is described. We evaluate and compare this algorithm experimentally with its maximum likelihood equivalent, UMDAG c

The OneTogether collaborative approach to reduce the risk of surgical site infection: identifying the challenges to assuring best practice

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) account for 16% of healthcare associated infections, and are associated with considerable morbidity, mortality and increased costs of care. Ensuring evidence-based practice to prevent SSI is incorporated across the patient’s surgical journey is complex. OneTogether is a quality improvement collaborative of infection prevention and operating department specialists, formed to support the spread and adoption of best practice to prevent SSI. This paper describes the findings of an expert workshop on infection prevention in operating departments. Methods: A total of 84 delegates from 75 hospitals attended the workshop, comprising 46 (55%) theatre nurses/operating department practitioners; 16 (19%) infection control practitioners and 22 (26%) other healthcare practitioners. Discussion focused on evidence, policy implementation and barriers to best practice. Responses were synthesised into a narrative review. Results: Delegates reported significant problems in translating evidence-based guidance into everyday practice, lack of local polices and poor compliance. Major barriers were lack of leadership, poorly defined responsibilities, and lack of knowledge/training. Conclusions: This workshop has provided important insights into major challenges in assuring compliance with best practice in relation to the prevention of SSI. The OneTogether partnership aims to support healthcare practitioners to improve the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery by reducing the risk of SSI

Listening walks: a method of multiplicity

A listening walk is a mode of walking in which listening to the sounds of spaces is the focus. In this chapter, we look at the potential of listening walks to act as a research method and pedagogic tool. We emphasise its flexibility and adaptability for different purposes and research topics. To make this argument, we consider a listening walk led by one of the authors in Edinburgh, Scotland. We demonstrate that, while listening walks have been posited as a means of producing research data about perceived soundscape quality, they also provide us with an endlessly repeatable and adaptable method that can address a much broader range of research questions, and can be embedded within a variety of teaching settings

The Secret Lives of Ebooks: A Paratextual Analysis Illuminates a Veil of Usage Statistics

This study applies the method of paratextual analysis to six electronic books, or ebooks, in an academic library collection at a small liberal arts college. Two books are selected from each of three platforms: ebrary, EBSCO, and SpringerLink. The characteristics of each book are described, including design and readership, as well as 2 years of usage statistics from the specific library, and altmetrics where available. The paratextual study leads to a closer investigation of the usage statistics themselves and concludes that despite industry standards, they are not calculated consistently across vendor platforms and that while these data are invisible to researchers outside of the library, there are also essential elements that librarians mistakenly take at face value when comparing ebook usage from multiple vendors

Psychological Aspects of Cardiac Care and Rehabilitation: Time to Wake Up to Sleep?

Psychological and psychosocial factors have long been linked to cardiovascular disease. These psychosocial factors, including low socioeconomic status, social support/isolation, stress and distress, personality, and sleep disturbance increase risk of cardiovascular events and negatively impact quality of life. These factors may have direct effects on cardiovascular disease via immune or neuroendocrine pathways, or more indirect effects, by, for example, limiting adherence to recommended therapies and cardiac rehabilitation. Most psychosocial risk factors can be assessed relatively easily using standardised tools. Sleep disturbance, in particular, is gaining evidence for its importance and may be crucial to address. While the management of certain psychosocial risk factors is an ethical requirement for care and improves quality of life, unfortunately there is little evidence that such strategies impact on \u27hard\u27 endpoints such as recurrent myocardial infarction. A comprehensive biopsychosocial approach to management of these psychosocial factors is required to maximise the benefits patients derive from cardiac care

Using a Respondent-Type Matching-to-Sample Exclusion Training Procedure to Establish Equivalence Responding

An exclusion training procedure involves presenting a sample stimulus with an unrelated comparison stimulus that is presented alongside other comparison stimuli that previously have acquired a negative relation to the sample stimulus. Due to the already established negative comparisons, the participant selects the unrelated stimulus, establishing a relation between the two stimuli. Of the large body of research on exclusion, there has been no research conducted that has combined respondent conditioning with an exclusion training procedure. This study used a respondent-type matching-to-sample (ReTMTS) exclusion training procedure with probe trials to train 3, three-member equivalence classes. A–B relations were trained using the ReTMTS procedure, and A–C relations were trained via exclusion using the ReTMTS procedure. Of the 10 participants who reached the test phase, only 2 failed to reach the criterion required to demonstrate equivalence responding. These findings are discussed in the context of previous research on exclusion training

Reverse Derivative Categories

The reverse derivative is a fundamental operation in machine learning and automatic differentiation. This paper gives a direct axiomatization of a category with a reverse derivative operation, in a similar style to that given by Cartesian differential categories for a forward derivative. Intriguingly, a category with a reverse derivative also has a forward derivative, but the converse is not true. In fact, we show explicitly what a forward derivative is missing: a reverse derivative is equivalent to a forward derivative with a dagger structure on its subcategory of linear maps. Furthermore, we show that these linear maps form an additively enriched category with dagger biproducts.Comment: Extended version of paper to appear at CSL 202

Believing Christ's return : an interpretative analysis of the dynamics of Christian hope

This study investigates the dynamic of hope, specifically the Christian hope as it is expressed in the expectation of Christ's return. This belief has a number of implications, and affects the believer's attitude to God, man and the world, the relationship to past, present and future events, and the understanding of meaning and purpose in life. The examination of the belief in the parousia is primarily concerned with the question "why?" The question "Why the parousia?" is basic to this thesis, and the various sections reflect the different modes of answer. Section One examines the belief as it is portrayed in the New Testament by a brief review of its role and importance (with several examples), followed by a more interpretative analysis of the concept of the "God who comes," and the implications of the parousia parables. Section Two provides a wide-ranging summary of the different manifestations of the parousia hope in Christian history, along with some comment and analysis of its influences and consequences. Section Three illustrates the implications and effects of a strong parousia belief through an account of the nineteenth century Millerite movement. Section Four, enters into greater detail with an examination of the role that the parousia belief plays within a group that strongly affirms its importance: the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This examination is both on a personal and community level, and provides considerable material for understanding the factors influencing the adoption and consequent effects of this belief. Section Five reviews the interpretation of the parousia belief in modern theology and comments on the relative attitudes and outlooks that result both from an acceptance of the belief and from its denial. This leads on to a discussion of the concept of the "delay," a major influence on the parousia belief in contemporary thought. Section Six provides some synthesis of the various elements of the parousia belief, and also indicates other more abstract implications and components. The parousia belief is seen as a part of an ordered belief structure; then as a major belief in terms of hope, consummation, termination, purpose, vindication and so on. Yet finally it is the temporal aspect so frequently noted in other Sections that is of greatest importance, and the interaction of time and the parousia provides the conclusion -- the concept of a dynamic, time-related belief that activates the present out of the future