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A methodological approach to exracting patterns of service utilization from a cross-continuum high dimensional healthcare dataset to support care delivery optimization for patients with complex problems
No full textBackground: Optimizing care for patients with complex problems entails the integration of clinically appropriate problem-specific clinical protocols, and the optimization of service-system-encompassing clinical pathways. However, alignment of service system operations with Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) is far more challenging than the time-bounded alignment of procedures with protocols. This is due to the challenge of identifying longitudinal patterns of service utilization in the cross-continuum data to assess adherence to the CPGs. Method: This paper proposes a new methodology for identifying patients’ patterns of service utilization (PSUs) within sparse high-dimensional cross-continuum health datasets using graph community detection. Result: The result has shown that by using iterative graph community detections, and graph metrics combined with input from clinical and operational subject matter experts, it is possible to extract meaningful functionally integrated PSUs. Conclusions: This introduces the possibility of influencing the reorganization of some services to provide better care for patients with complex problems. Additionally, this introduces a novel analytical framework relying on patients’ service pathways as a foundation to generate the basic entities required to evaluate conformance of interventions to cohort-specific clinical practice guidelines, which will be further explored in our future research.FacultyReviewe
UVic Convocation June 10, 2024 – 10:00 am
No full textStudents from the faculties of Graduate Studies, Business, and Education.UndergraduateUnreviewe
Finding Particles in MATHUSLA Using Timing Information
Get PDFThe MATHUSLA detector is a proposed large volume detector that specializes in detecting long-lived particles above the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The detector uses scintillating material in order to detect charged particles. At UVic, a prototype is being constructed to test the
materials and methods intended for the MATHUSLA detector. At the forefront of these studies is using timing information to locate particles within the detector. We are testing methods that allow us to locate particles using timing delays in our signal. This project demonstrates that finding location based on this information is feasible, but also shows some of the challenges associated with the apparatus. The largest success of the project was showing the temperature dependence of the apparatus and how it affects timing measurements.Jamie Cassels Undergraduate Research Awards (JCURA)UndergraduateReviewe
Convolutional Neural Network Integration to a 3-D Ray-traced Biological Neural Network
Get PDFThis study presents a machine learning model that integrates a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) into a 3-D Ray-traced Biological Neural Network (RayBNN). RayBNN specializes in rearranging and adapting to various problems through transfer learning. CNN is renowned for extracting features from data efficiently, which may boost to RayBNN performance. In this report, two integration schemes are implemented and tested on the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology(MNIST) and Wakefulness Test recordings (MWT) datasets respectively. Using MNIST dataset, we trained a CNN with an artificial neural network (ANN) and an auto encoder/decoder to extract features from datasets and used them as the input of RayBNN. Using the CNN with ANN approach, an accuracy of 0.9919 ± 0.0012, a precision of 0.9921 ± 0.0008, a recall of 0.9922 ± 0.0012 and an F1-score of 0.9920 ± 0.0008 were obtained. When using CNN with auto encoder/decoder for feature extraction, the accuracy, precision, recall, and 0.9905 ± 0.0035, 0.9901 ± 0.0050, 0.9881 ± 0.0068, and F1-score at 0.9908 ± 0.0010 respectively. For MWT dataset, Cohen’s Kappa values of 0.68 ± 0.05, 0.71 ± 0.04, 0.04 ± 0.02, and 0.06 ± 0.02 for Wakefulness, Microsleep Episode, Microsleep Episode Candidate, Episodes of Drowsiness classes were obtained using CNN with ANN to extract features for RayBNN.Graduat
Europeanization as pragmatic politics: Italy’s civil society actors operating in the face of right-wing populism
No full textThis article examines how and under what conditions Italy’s civil society organizations (CSOs) have resorted to transnational activism and to what extent these efforts translate into impactful political advocacy. The analysis focuses on the action strategies of these civil society actors that have come under considerable pressure through the resurgence of populist–nationalist actors in the domestic arena. Developing an actor-centred perspective from below, this article draws on a series of 27 interviews conducted with these organizations’ representatives working primarily on issues related to migration and refugees in Italy. The empirical study examines some key initiatives that see domestic CSOs as protagonists in the transnational realm and explicates their motivations, approaches, and experiences. Conceptually, the article distinguishes between the vertical and horizontal Europeanization of CSOs. While there are notable opportunities for CSOs to engage in Brussels-centred governance and policy making, the effectiveness of horizontal Europeanization in the form of cross-border networking is—at first sight paradoxically—limited by the EU’s system of multi-level governance. The central argument about Europeanizing civil society activism is that these processes are primarily driven by a pragmatic pursuit of solutions to concrete political challenges that could not be properly addressed in an increasingly hostile domestic environment.We would like to acknowledge that this article draws on research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (grant number 435-2019-0461) and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union under the Jean Monnet Network “Transnational Political Contention in Europe” (TraPoCo) (grant number: 620881). The European Community’s support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents, which reflect the views of the authors. The EC cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.FacultyReviewe
Multi-agent footstep steering with deep reinforcement learning
No full textCrowd simulation plays a crucial role in a wide range of fields, from digital media to urban planning. However, traditional particle-based algorithms often lack essential information to present realistic human bipedal locomotion. This research aims to propose a more realistic and efficient steering model for crowd simulation by combining Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) with bipedal locomotion modelling. This study explores the advantages of MARL and analyzes a mathematical approach to simplifying complex bipedal locomotion. The approach utilizes the Proximal Policy Optimization algorithm and trains the model in adjustable randomized maze-like environments. Assessment results of the model indicate that the model learns goal-reaching behaviours and learns to avoid static and dynamic obstacles. Furthermore, the agents can simulate complex steering behaviours such as side-stepping and turning-like behaviours with two feet. This research contributes to the advancement of the field of crowd simulation through a flexible and realistic approach to modelling human steering behaviours in complex and dynamic environments.Graduat
Advancing gender inclusivity for Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary and other gender-diverse blood and plasma donors
No full textBackground and Objectives: Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary and other gender-diverse (2STGD) donors face challenges in donation. While many blood operators aim to address these challenges, to date, no empirical study with these donors has been conducted to guide their efforts. This paper reports 2STGD donors' views on a two-step approach asking donors their gender and sex assigned at birth (SAAB), and expanding gender options in donor registration.
Materials and Methods: A qualitative community-based study was conducted with 2STGD donors (n = 85) in Canada. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted from July to October 2022, audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using a thematic analytic framework.
Results: Participants were divided on their views of a two-step approach asking gender and SAAB. Themes underlying views in favour of this approach included the following: demonstrating validation and visibility, and treating 2STGD donors and cisgender donors alike. Themes underlying views not in favour or uncertain included potential for harm, compromising physical safety, and invalidation. All participants were in favour of expanding gender options if blood operators must know donors' gender.
Conclusion: Results indicate that a two-step approach for all donors is not recommended unless the blood operator must know both a donor's gender and SAAB to ensure donor and/or recipient safety. Gender options should be expanded beyond binary options. Ongoing research and evidence synthesis are needed to determine how best to apply donor safety measures to nonbinary donors.Funding support was provided by the Canadian Blood Services MSM Plasma Program, funded by Health Canada and the provincial and territorial ministries of health.FacultyReviewe
wâcîkowiyinînâhk: Indigenous identity resurgence and land connectedness
Get PDFThis thesis aims to shed light and support healing through an Indigenous story-sharing methodology. It is the re-searching of deeper knowledge and history to make known the identity and ancestral teachings specific to Plains Cree worldviews. Each nation has its own unique and distinguished identity; the people of Day Star were once called the Blue Hill people. This name was given to the people by the first signatory Chief and Prophet named Kīsikāwacāhk (Day Star). The knowledge gathered through this study will be used to modify a land-based healing initiative for women, children and families. The scope of the research is to revive kinship practices, cultural continuity, and Indigenous resurgence for myself, community members and future generations. As a member and re-searcher of the nation, I had become interested in knowing our identities and kinship practices by reconnecting to the people and land as an urban member. In this research, I had carried out a story-sharing methodology to do the research by gathering knowledge through my own experiences, interviews and witnessing to be applied in a decolonial approach. Through this research I intended to incorporate nêhiyawewin, ceremony and practices as much as possible while adhering to our traditional protocols.Graduat
InSAR- and PCA-based inversion reveals the surface deformation and earthquake sequence in the Weiyuan-Rongxian shale gas field
No full textIn recent years, the rapid expansion and development of the shale gas industry in the Sichuan Basin has coincided with a series of unexpected moderate-sized earthquakes. Given that the Sichuan Basin is situated within a stable interior block, the focal mechanism of the 2019 earthquake sequence (ML4.7, ML5.4, and ML5.2) in the Weiyuan-Rongxian area remains a subject of debate. In this study, we propose a joint InSAR- and PCA- based inversion method utilizing the distributed Mogi model to investigate the spatial-temporal characteristics of a gas reservoir and evaluate the induced Coulomb stress change. The surface deformation derived from Sentinel-1 data between 2015 and 2021 was consistent with the spatial distribution of production wells, and it correlated with the temporal changes in reservoir volume associated with the shale gas operating process. The Coulomb stress loading on the regional faults suggests that human activities associated with shale gas operation likely triggered the three moderate earthquakes. Furthermore, our results indicate Coulomb stress loadings of 10 kPa, 15 kPa, 5 kPa, 3 kPa, and 87 kPa on the Dongxingchang fault, Gaoqiao fault, Dayaokou fault, Niujingao fault, and Lijiachang fold, respectively. Consequently, fluid injection and extraction during shale gas development could be contributing to the elevated seismic activity in the Weiyuan-Rongxian area.This research was funded by National Key Research and Development Program (2022YFB3903602), National Natural Science Foundation of China (42174023, 42304037), National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (41925016), Frontier Cross Research Project of Central South University (2023QYJC006), and Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province (2024JJ3031).FacultyReviewe
Culturing the body in the context of the neolithisation of the southern Levant
Get PDFThe authors thank Professor Daniella Bar-Yosef and Heeli Schechter for an invitation to contribute to this special issue and Lisa Rogers for research assistance.The body is a site of lived experience as people engage their social, cultural, and physical worlds through their bodies. As a product of both nature and culture, it can be modified to fulfil, challenge, or rebel against ideals and expectations. While not all the ways in which humans modify their bodies leave traces in the archaeological record, the use of personal ornaments is well documented. In this paper, we focus on the practice of body modification through personal adornment in the context of the neolithisation of the southern Levant. We argue that shifting subsistence strategies, settlement patterns, and social relationships (including relationships with ancestors) necessitated new ways of being in the world that were manifested in and through material culture including personal ornaments. In the Neolithic, living bodies did not need to be present for an individual to have a social “life” and personal ornaments as heirlooms likely played a fundamental and complementary role in “presencing” a person who would otherwise be absent.FacultyReviewe