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The Impacts of Artificial Intelligence on Investment Management: How will Artificial Intelligence reshape company structure and decision-making within investment management firms?
Get PDFThe investment management sector is evolving rapidly, driven by an increasing dependence on advanced computational tools. Investment management firms have been adopting artificial intelligence (AI) at an unprecedented pace, fundamentally transforming workflows and decision-making processes. This study evaluates AI’s influence on the investment management industry, focusing on how AI shapes decision-making and organizational structures. My research uses quantitative and qualitative insights from investment management experts to conclude that AI will reduce the need for large analyst cohorts, refine the portfolio construction process, and enable firms to process vast amounts of financial and economic data with a significantly lower reliance on human capital. Firms can process more data, cover more companies, and produce a higher work output without increasing analysts proportionally to the increase in productivity.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Investment Management, Mutual Funds, Hedge Funds, Decision MakingBachelor of Business Administratio
Acknowledging the Problem: Confronting Systemic Oppression through Young Adult Fantasy Literature
Get PDFThe An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir, the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson, and the Legacy of Orïsha series by Tomi Adeyemi all contain oppressive systems built into the fabrics of their fictional worlds. This thesis argues that oppressive systems, in various forms, exist in these series, operating to maintain themselves with numerous tools and producing effects of prolonged oppression in the subjugated groups. The oppressive facets of these systems are combatted and reformed in their fantasy contexts, and it is possible for readers to draw out real-world implications for how people can unravel or reform oppressive systems and the limitations/obstacles that could be present in the process. The three authors explore the intricacies of oppressive systems and, in doing so, emphasize the difficulty of undoing them, instead suggesting ways to combat them in achievable ways rather than advocating for complete system turnover to remove the negative aspects.Bachelor of Art
Investigating the Relationship Between the Color of Dried Blood Spot Samples and Sample Storage Conditions for Unstable Active Antiretroviral Metabolites
Get PDFIntroduction: Tenofovir and emtricitabine are effective, FDA-approved medications for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that require high medication adherence for maximum efficacy. Various methods exist to assess adherence in clinical trials, including measuring drug concentrations in plasma and cells, refill history, and measuring drug concentrations in dried blood spots (DBS), a novel adherence assessment method. The PrEPARE Pretoria Project provides DBS for this study.1 Prior data analysis noted that DBS cards collected from the same patient at the same visit varied in color and drug metabolite concentrations, changing the patient’s adherence classification. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of sampling or processing variability on DBS color, using DBS days at ambient room temperature prior to storage in a freezer as the independent variable.
Methods: A colorimeter quantified DBS color, and intra-spot and inter-spot color variability were evaluated. A color quantification variable (L* [light/dark], a* [red/green], b* [yellow/blue], C* [saturation], ho [hue]) with a correlation to days at room temperature was selected. The training set (n=160) generated an equation to predict days at room temperature from a predetermined color variable in the test set (n=41). Actual and calculated days at room temperature were compared.
Results: Intra-spot variability (p≥0.05) and inter-spot variability (p≥0.05) were not significant for all variables. Hue (ho) had a significant (p=0.003) correlation with days at room temperature. A training set using ho values generated the equation y=0.0427x+33.838, where the y-axis was ho and the x-axis was days at room temperature. The median percent difference between actual days at room temperature and calculated days at room temperature was 154.8%, and the difference between these values was significant (p=0.005).
Conclusions: L*, a*, b*, and C* do not correlate with days at room temperature. A correlation between ho and days at room temperature exists in the training set, but DBS color is not predictive of days at room temperature in the test set. This study is an important first step in identifying how processing and storage variations can impact DBS color. Future directions include evaluation of other factors, such as sunlight exposure, and impact on DBS color.Doctor of Pharmac
The Impact of Health-Related Quality of Life and Associations with Adherence in Real-World Patients with Leukemia
Get PDFThis study evaluates the reciprocal relationship between medication adherence to oral chemotherapy medications and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in leukemia patients. This single arm, observational, prospective, longitudinal study included patients with leukemia who were interviewed via phone survey to evaluate adherence, HRQOL, and medication-related toxicities. This survey was repeated three times, each two to three months apart, to identify patterns over time. Patients’ adherence may decline over time, reaching approximately 50% adherence by the end of the study period. Factors such as age, sex, education, income, and marital status significantly influence adherence rates. Additionally, the presence of treatment-related toxicities emerges as a major determinant for lower quality of life. Doctor of Pharmac
Characterizing the Role of Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Taking Oral Anticancer Agents (OAAs)
Get PDFThis thesis explores the impact of patient assistance programs (PAPs) on financial barriers and adherence to oral anticancer agents (OAAs) in patients with hematological malignancies. It proposes methods to use electronic health record (EHR) and specialty pharmacy data to analyze patient demographics, insurance coverage, and PAP enrollment, alongside financial barriers such as high copays and funding limits. The proposed methods focus on assessing pharmacy fill data, adherence rates, and treatment gaps, the study aims to examine how financial obstacles influence treatment outcomes across different socioeconomic and demographic groups. This thesis also describes a small scale validation study conducted to refine data collection techniques and determine areas of focus for a full scale study.Doctor of Pharmac
Associations of depressive symptoms, social engagement and support, and lifestyle behaviors among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic men with chronic conditions in the United States
Get PDFSelf-management of depressive symptoms is influenced by co-morbidity, social support, and health-related behaviors. Men are less likely to discuss depressive moods and seek healthcare. This study examines factors associated with depressive symptoms among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men ages ≥40 years with ≥1 chronic condition in the U. S. Data from 1,907 non-Hispanic Black (n = 1,117) and Hispanic (n = 790) males with chronic conditions were analyzed using logistic regression to assess depressive symptoms, identified as a Patient Health Questionnaire-2 score ≥3. One model was fitted for all men, then separate models were fitted for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men, respectively. The models adjusted for sociodemographic, disease characteristics, health status, social engagement and support, and lifestyle behaviors. In the full model, Hispanic men (OR = 1.39, p = 0.017) and those taking more medications (OR = 1.10, p = 0.010) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Social disconnection (OR = 1.65, p < 0.001), reliance on others for health management (OR = 1.04, p < 0.001), limited activity due to health (OR = 3.15, p < 0.001), self-care barriers (OR = 1.16, p < 0.001), healthcare frustration (OR = 1.13, p < 0.001), prolonged sitting (OR = 1.01, p = 0.030), and tobacco use (OR = 1.56, p = 0.002) increased likelihood of depressive symptoms. Common and unique factors associated with depressive symptoms were identified in models for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men, respectively. Findings highlight the dynamic interplay between depressive symptoms, social engagement, and lifestyle behaviors among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men with complex disease profiles. Efforts are needed to address depressive symptomatology through self-managing conditions, strengthening supportive networks, and alleviating burdens associated with healthcare interactions
Eating in the absence of hunger is not associated with weight, self-reported eating behaviors, or well-being in pregnant adults: Prospective cohort study
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: Eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) refers to consuming food after reaching satiation and is considered a risk factor for weight gain. This study examined relations of EAH with pregnancy-related weight outcomes, self-reported eating behaviors, and indicators of well-being. METHODS: EAH was measured in participants (n = 46) during their 2nd pregnancy trimester. Energy intake and percent of food consumed following a standardized meal was calculated for all foods, and separately for sweet (desserts) and savory (salty snacks) foods. Early pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight change were calculated from measured height and weight from <12 weeks gestation to 1 year postpartum. Participants reported eating behaviors (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) < 28 weeks gestation. Linear and logistic regression models estimated relationships between the variables of interest. RESULTS: Primarily null estimates did not provide consistent evidence of associations of eating behaviors or indicators of well-being with EAH, or of EAH with pregnancy-related weight outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: EAH in pregnancy was not related to weight change, eating behaviors, depressive symptoms, sleep quality, or stress. Future studies in larger samples and diverse developmental periods are needed to determine the utility of laboratory-assessed EAH as a risk factor for weight gain. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02217462
Behavioral Innovations to Access Abortion Post-Dobbs: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of Reddit’s r/abortion Community in 2022
Get PDFFollowing the leak of the Dobbs decision in 2022, abortion access in the United States has faced heightened barriers, including legal restrictions, financial constraints, and logistical challenges. In response, individuals seeking abortion care can employ innovative behavioral strategies to overcome these barriers and reshape their abortion experiences (ie, "behavioral innovations"). This paper explores the behavioral innovations to access abortion that people discussed and recommended within a geographically dispersed community of peers on an abortion-supportive Reddit community (r/abortion). Using a hybrid inductive and deductive thematic qualitative analysis approach with a purposive sample of comments in the r/abortion community in 2022 following the Dobbs leak (May-December, n = 131 comments), we identified discussion of abortion access innovations related to getting in-clinic care, self-managed abortion (SMA), funding assistance, privacy, and emotional support. Innovations included sharing online resources for clinic locations, specific travel recommendations to less restrictive states, accessing abortion medications through online services, and navigating the SMA process. Additionally, other less tangible innovations were discussed, including strategies for keeping abortions private and seeking emotional support. Our findings highlight how individuals within the r/abortion community discuss and share creative strategies for navigating the evolving barriers to abortion care. The r/abortion platform serves as a crucial resource for individuals seeking innovative solutions to these barriers, underscoring the need for diverse information-sharing practices to improve access to care as shifting legislation increasingly demands approaches beyond conventional norms
Reconstructing Cross-Cultural Meanings of Addiction Among Women from Three Countries
Get PDFThe gender gap in drug use is narrowing in regions where access to criminalized substances, such as opioids, is increasing. While research shows that substance use is gendered, less is known about the cultural norms and values shaping women’s drug use, as most studies focus on men. Cross-national comparisons of cultural models of addiction are needed to better understand how addiction is perceived and to inform culturally responsive treatment approaches for women. This study examined cultural models of addiction among reproductive-aged women receiving treatment for substance misuse in London, Toronto, and Delhi. Participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended and free-list prompts. Findings revealed shared cultural models attributing drug use to psychological factors, such as self-medicating to manage negative emotions or enhance positive ones, as well as relational, developmental, and biological influences. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural models into research and treatment. By using an inductive approach to explore meanings surrounding drug use among people in recovery, researchers can better understand how interventions are received and interpreted through existing internal frameworks
Sending Signals: Trigger Warnings and Safe Space Notifications
Get PDFTrigger warnings and safe space notifications are common in higher education. Although researchers have evaluated these practices as mental health tools, little attention has been paid to the interpersonal signals they send. In this experiment conducted in fall 2024, we examined how trigger warnings and safe space notifications shape students' perceptions of instructors and the classroom environment. We randomly assigned 738 American undergraduate students to view videos of instructors delivering a brief lecture on trauma, preceded by the instructor providing a trigger warning, a safe space notification, both, or neither. Participants rated the instructor's epistemic trustworthiness, concern for student well-being, political orientation, and Left-Wing Authoritarianism scale, as well as their own feelings of psychological safety and willingness to discuss controversial topics in the classroom. Analyses using Bayes Factors provided substantial evidence that trigger warnings had no overall impact on students' perceptions. In contrast, safe space notifications increased students' feelings of psychological safety and willingness to discuss controversial topics. Safe spaces also increased perceptions of instructors as caring and trustworthy but signaled that instructors were liberal and left-wing authoritarian, including the subscale measuring support for top-down censorship. Implications for the use of trigger warnings and safe spaces in educational contexts are discussed.