Non-dimensional Star-Identification

This study introduces a new "Non-Dimensional" star identification algorithm to reliably identify the stars observed by a wide field-of-view star tracker when the focal length and optical axis offset values are known with poor accuracy. This algorithm is particularly suited to complement nominal lost-in-space algorithms, which may identify stars incorrectly when the focal length and/or optical axis offset deviate from their nominal operational ranges. These deviations may be caused, for example, by launch vibrations or thermal variations in orbit. The algorithm performance is compared in terms of accuracy, speed, and robustness to the Pyramid algorithm. These comparisons highlight the clear advantages that a combined approach of these methodologies provides.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, 4 table

Let’s Get “AWARE” of Preventing Violence through Good Mental Health Promotion

In February 2018, the United States experienced yet another devastating mass shooting, this time at a high school in Florida with a total of 17 people left dead. Once again, many politicians who are opposed to stricter gun control shifted the blame to “mental illness” despite themselves having records of seeking cuts to programs that promote good mental health and/or opposing parity between physical and mental health coverage in health insurance.... It is notable that there are evidence-based practices that can be used in schools to promote good mental health and greatly reduce the likelihood of violence...

Self-Determination Requires Social Capital, Not Just Skills and Knowledge

Curricula and programs designed to support students with disabilities to gain greater self-determination are typically rooted in individualistic values stressing independence and self-reliance. However, it can be cogently argued that the collectivistic value of interdependence is actually essential for self-determination in all cultures because interdependent social relationships yield the social capital that most people need to achieve their self-determined goals. Interdependent relationships should therefore be given greater weight and attention in self-determination theory and practice

Studying biological science does not lead to adoption of a healthy lifestyle

Aims: The lifestyle and physical activity (PA) habits of young people play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at older ages. The current generation of biological science students at university holds promise for better future medicine and medical technology. However, their physical fitness and lifestyle are often ignored. Methods: Lifestyle, PAs and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease before, and at, university were collected from 408 students using self-completed, anonymous surveys between the academic years of 2017 and 2019 from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS® 9.4 software. Results: Among the 408 participants, 134 were male and 274 were female with a mean (SD) age of 19.6 (2.24). Approximately 19% of participants consumed alcohol beyond the safe limit of <14 units/week (112 g/week). Among them, 65% were males. Before university, 47% of students failed to meet the UK National Physical Activity Guidelines (NPAG) which increased to 56% during university with males exhibiting a steeper incline. Compared to their lifestyles before university, more students had insufficient sleep and displayed greater sedentariness during university. Moreover, 16% of students declared no engagement in PA which was greater than the value of 12% before university. Fitness perceptions worsened by 11% during university particularly for females. Statistical analysis revealed that gender, BMI and fitness perceptions were significantly correlated with PA levels. The most prevalent explanation for inadequacy in meeting NPAG was insufficient time. Conclusion: Compared to their pre-university lifestyles, biological science students at university are more likely to adopt unhealthier behaviours with less time for exercise and prolonged sedentary behaviours, which increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is important to raise awareness of their fitness perceptions and to encourage health-promoting programmes at university

Introduction to the Special Issue: “Self-Determination” as a Social Construct: Cross-cultural Considerations

This special issue of the Review of Disability Studies is meant to stimulate thinking and dialogue about how self-determination is conceived and promoted by and for people with disabilities, and how the concept and its application might be enhanced to better empower and improve the quality of life of people with disabilities around the world. We decided to devote time and effort to this topic because of our observations that self-determination as typically presented is not a good fit for cultural milieu in Hawaii and across the Pacific region. A likely reason for this lack of fit emerged as we read a large proportion of the many publications on self-determination and people with disabilities: the self-determination concept as typically defined is rooted in the individualistic values common to Western cultures, whereas most residents of Hawaii and other Pacific Islands come from collectivistic cultural backgrounds

Group behaviour in financial markets

This thesis aims to revise the current understanding of the behaviour of different groups of traders in financial markets. Research involves statistical analysis of historic 'Commitment of Traders' reports, a U.S government dataset providing the long and short positions of core groups of traders, reported at weekly intervals over 17 years. Empirical work identifies a surprising level of consistency amongst different groups across 31 markets. A specific pattern is identified: speculators are found to increase their buying interest when prices are rising whilst commercial traders (or 'hedgers') increase their selling; the opposite pattern of behaviour occurs when prices are falling. The thesis explores the implications of this behaviour for existing models of financial markets by referencing a number of peer-reviewed studies. The agent-based computational model of Alfarano, Lux, and Wagner (2005) is implemented and analysed. A lack of validity is demonstrated in the interactions between the different types of traders in this model. These theoretical components are further shown to be typical of much of the literature in this area. An objective for the thesis is to correct this oversight by incorporating genuine patterns of trading behaviour into an existing computational model. The approach of Mike and Farmer (2008) is used for this purpose, being currently unique in that core components are calibrated from real-world data and no group-level representations are assumed. This model is extended to observe groups of traders with different levels of order-aggression: speculators are found to rely on market orders whereas commercial traders rely on limit orders. These preferences, in the absence of deeper theoretical considerations, are sufficient to account for the identified behaviour. A discussion is offered on the relevance of this finding for financial market regulators, who have typically focused on regulating types of traders, specifically speculators, rather than on types of trades