1,566 research outputs found
Model Based Clustering for Mixed Data: clustMD
A model based clustering procedure for data of mixed type, clustMD, is
developed using a latent variable model. It is proposed that a latent variable,
following a mixture of Gaussian distributions, generates the observed data of
mixed type. The observed data may be any combination of continuous, binary,
ordinal or nominal variables. clustMD employs a parsimonious covariance
structure for the latent variables, leading to a suite of six clustering models
that vary in complexity and provide an elegant and unified approach to
clustering mixed data. An expectation maximisation (EM) algorithm is used to
estimate clustMD; in the presence of nominal data a Monte Carlo EM algorithm is
required. The clustMD model is illustrated by clustering simulated mixed type
data and prostate cancer patients, on whom mixed data have been recorded
The experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people with dementia
The subjective experience of dementia for lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals is largely absent from the extant literature. This study aimed to explore what it means to experience dementia in this context given the documented psychosocial influences facing this population. A second aim was to develop understanding of these experiences within dyadic relationships. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals with dementia and people with whom they had a significant relationship. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of transcripts identified three superordinate themes reflecting characteristics of participantsâ experience: Duality in managing dementia; Giving yourself away vs. holding onto yourself; and Relationships as sheltered harbours. Ten subthemes indicate processes these individuals adopt to adjust and make sense of their experience of dementia. This included decisions around concealment, ensuring safety and the promotion of personhood and couplehood. In line with findings for heterosexual couples, partners had an important role in maintaining the identity of the person with dementia. Results suggest additional and distinct challenges, including experienced and perceived discrimination and heterosexism. In response to these conditions, interviewees worked to resist a âdouble stigmaâ of dementia and sexuality. Findings indicated areas of improvement for dementia services, including training in inclusive practice
A survey of the remedial reading programs in the elementary schools of Massachusetts
Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit
Evaluation and development of animal breeding in Ireland
End of project reportThe primary objectives of this study were: 1) to annually evaluate the pertinence of the Irish dairy cattle breeding index, the Economic Breeding Index (EBI) and where necessary modify, 2) to evaluate the potential of do-it-yourself milk recording as an alternative to current supervised methods of milk recording, and 3) to estimate the level and rate of accumulation of inbreeding in Irish dairy and beef cattle, to quantify its effects on traits of economic importance, and to develop remedial measures to minimise the future accumulation of inbreeding in Ireland
The association between herd- and cow-level factors and somatic cell count of Irish dairy cows
peer-reviewedSomatic cell count (SCC) is an indicator of both udder health and milk quality and is
measured at an animal level through national milk recording schemes. The objective
of this study was to assess the animal and herd factors contributing to elevated SCC
(i.e. poorer milk quality). Test day records (n = 2,658,928) from 519,456 cow lactations
obtained between 2007 and 2011 were included in the analyses. Herd factors tested
included the geographical region of the herd and production system operated (spring
calving or mixed calving system). Animal factors tested included breed, parity and
age nested within parity. Four definitions of normalised SCC (i.e. SCS) were considered:
1) average test-day SCS within a 24 hour period (TD_SCS), 2) maximum SCS (peak_SCS), 3) minimum SCS (min_SCS), and 4) average SCS (avg_SCS) recorded across cow lactation; in addition, the proportion of test day records with an SCC count >200,000 (prop_200) or >250,000 (prop_250) within cow lactation were included. Following adjustment for fixed effects, average TD_SCS was 179,308 cells per mL while avg_SCS, and average min_SCS and peak_SCS were 119,481, 50,992 and 298,813 cells per mL, respectively. All animal and herd factors had a significant effect on SCC. Older animals, animals which were younger at calving than contemporaries and Holstein animals had higher SCC than younger alternative breed animals who calved at the median age. In addition, mixed calving production systems and herds in Connaught had higher SCC than spring calving herds in the other regions of Ireland.The authors gratefully acknowledge funding for this work from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Joint FIRM / RSF Initiative (Project Number: 10/RD/AAQUALITYMILK/
TMFRC713)
The United States of Americaâs Use of Torture in Interrogations
This paper outlines the use of state sanctioned torture since 1960 in Vietnam, Latin America, and the Middle East by American military forces. It will focus on the results and implications of the use of torture in each case, and especially in the Middle East following the terror attacks in the United States on September 11th, 2001. This paper will examine the legal process which has enabled not only the technically legal implementation of such programs, but also minimized repercussions for the United States, despite the devastating effects of their torture programs across the globe. The now declassified memorandums, manuals, and other relevant materials will be outlined, along with an overview of various âblack sitesâ and extralegal prison facilities used by the American military overseas. Finally, this paper will examine possible reasons as to why torture programs persists today in spite of the plethora of research discrediting all effectiveness, as well as highlighting the true implications of the use of torture
Storied Bodies in Motion and Stillness: Shifting Meanings of Physical Activity in Women\u27s Life History Narratives
Gender is a rarely studied social determinant of health. Qualitative methodologies, while underutilized in health promotion, may facilitate understanding of the gender and health relationship. The purpose of this work is to determine if narrative inquiry is a meaningful approach to study the relationship between femininity and physical activity and to examine this relationship within womenâs life histories. Five women between 30 and 40 participated in two semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed holistically, structurally, and categorically.
This dissertation is comprised of five integrated articles, in which I locate myself epistemologically as researcher through a discussion on the feminist underpinnings of performative social science, I autoethnographically examine my own resistance to dominant exercise discourses for women while highlighting the complex nature of theorizing lived experience, I âplayâ with numerous approaches to emplotment while introducing the reader to each participant individually and the plot that holds her physical activity life history together, I present the shared structure of the womenâs life histories and emergent themes, and I use metaphor to encompass the lived realities of my own and my participantsâ lives.
Findings demonstrate shifting meanings of physical activity throughout the womenâs lives from play to sport competition, a means to weight loss, re-embodiment through physical activity, and imagined future roles of motherhood. Emergent themes include A hierarchy of activities, Triangle of exercise, diet, and thinness, and The importance of social influencers. This research has the potential to inform future health promotion initiatives that are grounded in womenâs lived experiences
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