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The use of music therapy as a means of identity formation in the treatment of eating disorders
No full textEating disorders are ranked as one of the top ten mental health issues in the world. Statistics released by
the American Psychological Association in 2019 reveal that over 70 million people are currently suffering
with an eating disorder. This figure is also predicted to rise. A major area of concern is the low response
rates individuals are having to the current therapies that are available to treat eating disorders. One form
of psychotherapy that may have a very beneficial impact on treating these individuals is music therapy.
Central to the principles of music therapy are issues of identity and identity formation, both of which are
suggested to play a major part in the development of eating disorders. As music therapy has something
very unique to offer in the area of identity, it is posited that this type of therapy may have much to offer
these individuals. This theoretical dissertation explores several studies that focus on the relationship
between music therapy, identity formation and eating disorders. Results show that individuals who have
an eating disorder experience positive impacts in areas of their identity, self-esteem and connection to
themselves after receiving music therapy. While these results are positive, studies are limited, and much
more work is needed in this area to explore this link further
Decision support system for a restaurant to forecast sales using machine learning techniques
No full textRestaurant being a customer centric business faces a lot of challenge in day-to-day operation between inventory management, staffing, and customer handling. Any mismanagement could be unhealthy in its business long-term. Medium scale restaurants often lack an appropriate sales forecasting system, and most of them still adapt to the traditional forecasting technique of intuition which comes handy with experiences.
This thesis presents a predictive analytics approach in forecasting daily sales for a restaurant setup. A real-world dataset from a restaurant in Bengaluru, India is collected to analyse the practical challenges associated. Multiple Linear Regression, KNN, Decision Tree, Random Forest and SVR are the five regression algorithms used to predict the daily sales.
Two models: Single-Output Regression and Multi-Output Regression models are trained for predicting the overall sales and individual sales of eight top-selling menu items, respectively. Influence of external factors: google trends user search pattern, hourly weather, temperature, local events are analysed.
The major contribution of this thesis would be a web application to forecast the future sales of the restaurant. The overall key factors that drive the business is identified which can be scaled and be adapted by other similar business
Linear pooling of machine learning techniques in Multi-Agents Systems (MAS)
No full textA global solution derived from a weighted linear way improves the prediction with
desirable results in multi-agent systems (MAS). In this paper, we provide two novel
contributions. First, we propose a linear pooling approach to merge data from
multiple agents which outperforms to standard single Machine Learning (ML)
algorithms. This approach can be applied for common agents’ target variable with
different agents’ descriptive variables. Second, we also examine the proposed method
versus various ML techniques with different splits and compared them in terms of a
standard measure of performance i.e. root mean square error for each agent with
global RMSE and noticed robust results. The proposed approach is implemented into
a real-world dataset (superstore) for two agents and compared to the standard ML
techniques. The results show that our approach significantly outperforms the
available ML methods
Tomorrow’s corporate finance: The impact of digital evolution on the financial function and the role of the CFO
No full textDigital technologies have started being developed for some time now and made today’s world totally digitalized. Digital sources have already improved business processes at a high level and its opportunities for evolution are endless. The financial department plays a key role in the company, many studies have examined that digitalization has an impact on corporate finance: the past finance is not the same as today's and tomorrow's finance. The aim of this research is to know more about the future impact of digital technologies on the finance department and the challenges CFO’s are facing while implementing new digital processes. The study involves an analysis of the literature supporting this topic and mixed primary research, based on one hour interviews with five decision-makers from financial departments and the questionnaire that had been shared online to all financial worker
The effect of inventory management on profitability of cement manufacturing companies in Nigeria
No full textInventory is an important section of supply chain that tracks non-capitalised assets and its selling in order to generate higher profitability. The manufacturing sectors highly require proper inventory management to maintain its business operation. Being the second largest industry of Nigeria, information, such as, the inventory management, the innovation, importance, advantage and disadvantages, regarding the Nigerian cement giants, Dangote, Lafarge Holcim and BUA greatly unavailable. The research variable, the relation between inventory management and profitability generation was identified the necessity of inventory conversion day of raw materials, work-in-progress goods and finished goods. Dangote is the largest cement company, that generates N300 billion through the delivery of 73-million-ton cement, that determining economic contribution of the company.
However, the technological innovation is one of the potential aspects of inventory management, including JIT and SAP technologies, giving improvement in inventory stock and profit generation. For the purpose of the study, the semi structured online interview measure is introduced for identifying the effectiveness of inventory management process for developing the annual productivity. Additionally, the secondary data analysis measure is also introduced by the involvement of annual reports (2014-2019) of different manufacturing companies such as Dangote, BUA and Lafarge group.
On the other hand, in terms interview process 3 working capital managers and 3 inventory management officers are introduced. Therefore, the data analysis and discussion were conducted for delivering the accurate justification related with the collected information. At the end of the study, different types of recommended measures are delivered for developing the effectiveness of inventory management process of the Nigerian cement manufacturing industry
Comparative analysis of machine learning algorithms for detection of fast radio bursts
No full textFast radio bursts are a new astronomical phenomenon that have scientists baffled. To detect and analyse these FRBs, upcoming radio telescopes will capture tremendous amount of data. At the scales of these new telescopes, traditional methods of manually analysing the data fail. There is a need for extensive research in the use of machine learning for this task. This dissertation compares the performance of various machine learning algorithms, so they can be scaled to meet the demands of these new telescopes. To that extent, this research explores ways to simulate FRBs for analysis. The study compares four algorithms, namely, K-Nearest Neighbours, Random Forests, Deep Learning, and Convolutional Neural Networks
Idiographic assessment in psychotherapy: a review of the use of the integral intake in psychotherapeutic practice
No full textThis dissertation examines the use of the Integral Intake idiographic assessment methodology in psychotherapeutic practice. Against the background of the history and theoretical foundations of Integral Psychotherapy, this assessment method is outlined and its use in psychotherapeutic practice will be critically evaluated. While many clinicians do not use a formal instrument to support assessment, the Integral Intake, although it may “go against the grain” in some respects and may be perceived as long and complex, is evaluated positively as a preferred idiographic assessment instrument. However, notwithstanding the instrument being used, successful assessment and intervention depends ultimately on the assessor, the psychotherapist. The dissertation raises questions about stage of development of trainee and trained therapists in the psychotherapy profession
Thyroid dysfunction and mental health: a qualitative study towards optimal treatment
No full textThis qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals living with thyroid disease and their accompanying mental health difficulties, highlighting the importance of thyroid function screening to ensure best care and treatment of the thyroid patient. Semi-structured, face to face interviews were conducted to collect data from 3 participants and 1 participant submitted written answers. Thematic analysis led to the emergence of 4 main themes: depression, anxiety and panic attacks, problems with cognition and alternative treatments. The findings supported the thyroid dysfunction-mental health link and underscored the thyroid patient’s problems with cognition. Treatment with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement led to considerable reductions in psychological symptoms. The findings also revealed that thyroid patients were using alternative treatments alone and in conjunction with traditional medicine with positive results. The findings have implications for the treatment of thyroid disease and provide a base for future research on thyroid disease and alternative treatments
On practicing psychotherapy in a socially distant world
No full textThe Covid-19 pandemic has modified how psychotherapy is conducted. Accrediting bodies have recommended and sanctioned telephone and video communication for the continuation of therapy sessions during the Coronavirus outbreak in lieu of face-to-face communication. This method of communication ensures best-health practices are maintained as well as complying with national social distancing restrictions. This paper explores the implications of utilising technological communication in the psychotherapeutic relationship. Technologically mediated therapies have become more accessible in the 21st century, resulting in a growing population that can avail of these services.
Extrapolating information from literature, this paper provides the reader with a perspective on the implications of mediated communication i.e. online audio-visual, telecommunication and text-based therapy via mobile or computer within the therapeutic relationship. Themes presented include presence, the holding environment, reliability of technology, verbal and non-verbal cues, presentation of self on the screen and other challenges and acknowledgements.
In conclusion, this paper summarises the difficulty in facilitating therapy through technologically based devices. Whilst recognising the need for remote communication in the extraordinary times, face to face setting is preferential in the long-term
Adult children of alcoholics: Attachment, object relations and dependency patterns and implications for treatment
No full textThis research set out to explore attachment, object relations and dependency patterns in Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA). An outline of what it means to be an ACA is examined, along with research into difficulties experienced by many children of alcoholics from their infancy. Results of numerous research in the field of attachment, object relations and dependency are discussed, showing significant differences between ACA and individuals who grew up in functional families, and similarities with people from other types of dysfunctional families. There are a number of interventions available for ACA treatment, with various clinicians proposing different approaches. Regardless of the style chosen, the aim needs to be helping the ACA understand the increased vulnerability that may be a consequence of growing up in an alcoholic household, and help ACAs see possibilities of change and support their move towards this change. The mixture of individual and group treatment helps to create more robust support and address a wider range of pathologies