k-Nearest Neighbour Classifiers: 2nd Edition (with Python examples)

Perhaps the most straightforward classifier in the arsenal or machine learning techniques is the Nearest Neighbour Classifier -- classification is achieved by identifying the nearest neighbours to a query example and using those neighbours to determine the class of the query. This approach to classification is of particular importance because issues of poor run-time performance is not such a problem these days with the computational power that is available. This paper presents an overview of techniques for Nearest Neighbour classification focusing on; mechanisms for assessing similarity (distance), computational issues in identifying nearest neighbours and mechanisms for reducing the dimension of the data. This paper is the second edition of a paper previously published as a technical report. Sections on similarity measures for time-series, retrieval speed-up and intrinsic dimensionality have been added. An Appendix is included providing access to Python code for the key methods.Comment: 22 pages, 15 figures: An updated edition of an older tutorial on kN

Guatemala: An Intercultural Perspective

In July 2001, a group of 14 bilingual/ESL educators from Illinois traveled to Guatemala as participants in a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Aborad Program. The main purpose of the trip was to enhance the quality and quantity of intercultural education in K-12 schools, using Guatemala as a case study. The group, 12 bilingual/ESL teachers and the authors of this article, spent five weeks in Guatemala studying and working in bilingual schools in the Guatemalan highlands

Learning-Related Values in Young Children’s Storybooks: An Investigation in the United States, China, and Mexico

This research examined the prevalence of learning-related values in children’s storybooks in the United States, China, and Mexico. Storybooks ( N = 157) were randomly selected from government-recommended booklists in each country. Trained coders assessed the prevalence of learning-related beliefs (e.g., malleability of ability), motivated cognitions (e.g., achievement orientation), and behaviors (e.g., effort) in the storybooks. A set of MANOVAs revealed that Chinese (vs. American and Mexican) storybooks contained more instances of learning-related beliefs and behaviors. For example, Chinese storybooks included more instances of achievement-related goals and behaviors, relative to storybooks in the United States and Mexico. With the exception of achievement goals and helplessness, the prevalence of learning-related qualities was largely similar in the United States and Mexico

Ecology of Mathematics

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 1st Place (The Ohio State University Denman Undergraduate Research Forum)Evidence suggests that America is losing its place as the dominating economic powerhouse, partly due to its education system, specifically mathematical accomplishment. Few studies have examined the ecological effects influencing mathematics and relatively little is known about the environmental etiologies of mathematics abilities and disabilities (Kovas, Haworth, Petrill, & Plomin 2007). More generally, there remains a need to determine the essential environmental factors related to mathematical abilities. This study aims at finding the relationship of the children’s school life, family life, and child’s exclusive environment on mathematical achievement. This study examined environmental influences on mathematical ability, using 384 elementary and middle school-age children drawn from the Western Reserve Reading Project (WRRP). The child's socioeconomic status and questionnaires, assessing school and family life, were used to assess each child’s environment. SES was examined using the highest level of education achieved by the parent, and chaos by a 6-item child-report questionnaire. The relationships between the questionnaires and SES were measured on three tests of mathematical achievement. Mathematical ability was evaluated using three subtests of the Woodcock-John III Tests of Achievement. Results suggest that SES and CHAOS account for independent sources of shared environmental influences related to mathematical ability. The data illustrates that home life environment affects a child’s mathematical abilities. The results of this study could have a positive impact upon the American school setting and teachers will have a more developed understanding of etiologies influencing mathematical capabilities. Parents can create a home life more conducive to learning; a child can adjust his own surroundings to achieve mathematical success.NICHD HD038075Academic Major: Sociolog

Letter from Marion Delany to John Muir, 1902 Sep 8.

[in margin: 299][1902]1101 Pine St,San Francisco.My dear Mr. Muir,How kind of you to say that you would like me to go up to Martinez some Saturday with your daughter! I know of nothing that would give me greater pleasure, and any Saturday that you name will find me ready and delighted.Very sincerely yours,Marion DelanySeptember 8th0304

Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion and the Effects of Physical Therapy in the Skilled Nursing Facility: A Case Study

Background and Purpose: Stroke is the leading cause of disability and fifth leading cause of death among adults in the Unites States. This case study evaluates the effectiveness of inpatient physical therapy following a right middle cerebral artery occlusion and the outcomes throughout the weeks of treatment. Case Description: The patient was an 80-year-old male who received physical therapy within the hospital for six days before he was referred to a skilled nursing facility. The patient completed four total weeks of skilled physical therapy in the nursing home prior to discharge. Intervention: The therapy provided to the patient utilized high frequency of sessions consisting of repetitive task training. These activities were completed to increase the patients core strength, balance, left side awareness, and efficiency and safety during transfers and ambulation. Outcomes: Throughout the four weeks of physical therapy, the patient made significant improvements in his strength, balance, endurance, and left side awareness. He demonstrated increased independence in all functional activities including bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation. Discussion: This case demonstrates its intended purpose by describing how the patient achieved significant gains during his time in the skilled nursing facility. The patient responded well to treatment, however further investigation into the efficacy of interventions for stroke patients with similar demographics and medical history is necessary