title: confstream: automated algorithm selection and configuration of stream clustering algorithms

authors: Carnein, Matthias

subjects: computer science

abstract: Machine learning has become one of the most important tools in data analysis. However, selecting the most appropriate machine learning algorithm and tuning its hyperparameters to their optimal values remains a difficult task. This is even more difficult for streaming applications where automated approaches are often not available to help during algorithm selection and configuration. This paper proposes the first approach for automated algorithm selection and configuration of stream clustering algorithms. We train an ensemble of different stream clustering algorithms and configurations in parallel and use the best performing configuration to obtain a clustering solution. By drawing new configurations from better performing ones, we are able to improve the ensemble performance over time. In large experiments on real and artificial data we show how our ensemble approach can improve upon default configurations and can also compete with a-posteriori algorithm configuration. Our approach is considerably faster than a-posteriori approaches and applicable in real-time. In addition, it is not limited to stream clustering and can be generalised to all streaming applications, including stream classification and regression.

text: confstream: automated algorithm selection and configuration of stream clustering algorithms Machine learning has become one of the most important tools in data analysis. However, selecting the most appropriate machine learning algorithm and tuning its hyperparameters to their optimal values remains a difficult task. This is even more difficult for streaming applications where automated approaches are often not available to help during algorithm selection and configuration. This paper proposes the first approach for automated algorithm selection and configuration of stream clustering algorithms. We train an ensemble of different stream clustering algorithms and configurations in parallel and use the best performing configuration to obtain a clustering solution. By drawing new configurations from better performing ones, we are able to improve the ensemble performance over time. In large experiments on real and artificial data we show how our ensemble approach can improve upon default configurations and can also compete with a-posteriori algorithm configuration. Our approach is considerably faster than a-posteriori approaches and applicable in real-time. In addition, it is not limited to stream clustering and can be generalised to all streaming applications, including stream classification and regression.

year: 2020

title: Evaluating the effectiveness of an education group intervention on the  psychological wellbeing of breast cancer patients

authors: Ryan, Brittany

abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is a significant health problem for New Zealand (NZ) women, with approximately 3,300 women diagnosed every year. Psychosocial distress is commonly associated with a BC diagnosis; 20-50% of women with BC will suffer from psychological distress within the first year after diagnosis. Distress is associated with less adherence to treatment; exacerbated preexisting psychological and psychiatric conditions; slower recovery from surgery and other treatment; and poor Quality of Life (QOL) and well-being. To treat distress, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, a local organisation that helps cancer patients, delivers a psychoeducational intervention called the Living Well (LW) programme. This programme deals with emotions, relaxation, perceptions, coping, self-care, and informs patients about their cancer, treatment and what to expect. Very little research has been done in NZ to assess the effectiveness of such programmes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the LW programme for individual BC patients, a repeated measures design was used to investigate the effect of the programme as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a screening tool commonly used to identify anxiety and depression in BC patients.
Stage I-II BC patients referred to the Cancer Society and enrolled in the LW programme were recruited for the study. HADS scores were collected and analysed weekly using a repeated measures design prior to, during and after the intervention (LW programme). 
Analysis shows that the participants reacted similarly to the LW programme, as demonstrated by their HADS scores. Across all phases of the study (baseline, intervention and post-intervention) mean depression scores were lower than anxiety scores. During baseline mean anxiety scores were slightly higher, on average, than the intervention and post-intervention phases. 
While no consistent systematic effect on well-being from attending the LW programme was found, psychosocial distress in the breast cancer patients recruited for the study was evident. Therefore, there is value and benefit to provide interventions, to aid women by providing information so that they are better informed, can develop improved coping strategies, and develop new avenues for social support.

text: Evaluating the effectiveness of an education group intervention on the  psychological wellbeing of breast cancer patients Breast cancer (BC) is a significant health problem for New Zealand (NZ) women, with approximately 3,300 women diagnosed every year. Psychosocial distress is commonly associated with a BC diagnosis; 20-50% of women with BC will suffer from psychological distress within the first year after diagnosis. Distress is associated with less adherence to treatment; exacerbated preexisting psychological and psychiatric conditions; slower recovery from surgery and other treatment; and poor Quality of Life (QOL) and well-being. To treat distress, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, a local organisation that helps cancer patients, delivers a psychoeducational intervention called the Living Well (LW) programme. This programme deals with emotions, relaxation, perceptions, coping, self-care, and informs patients about their cancer, treatment and what to expect. Very little research has been done in NZ to assess the effectiveness of such programmes. To evaluate the effectiveness of the LW programme for individual BC patients, a repeated measures design was used to investigate the effect of the programme as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), a screening tool commonly used to identify anxiety and depression in BC patients.
Stage I-II BC patients referred to the Cancer Society and enrolled in the LW programme were recruited for the study. HADS scores were collected and analysed weekly using a repeated measures design prior to, during and after the intervention (LW programme). 
Analysis shows that the participants reacted similarly to the LW programme, as demonstrated by their HADS scores. Across all phases of the study (baseline, intervention and post-intervention) mean depression scores were lower than anxiety scores. During baseline mean anxiety scores were slightly higher, on average, than the intervention and post-intervention phases. 
While no consistent systematic effect on well-being from attending the LW programme was found, psychosocial distress in the breast cancer patients recruited for the study was evident. Therefore, there is value and benefit to provide interventions, to aid women by providing information so that they are better informed, can develop improved coping strategies, and develop new avenues for social support.

year: 2020

title: Maori-medium education: current issues and challenges.

authors: May, Stephen

subjects: Maori-medium education

abstract: This paper summarises the key issues and challenges that have emerged from a
recent major report by the authors on Maori-medium education in Aotearoa/New
Zealand. The discussion is situated within a wider international analysis of
bilingual/immersion programmes, including heritage language programmes for
indigenous peoples. Key issues explored in the paper include the negotiation of,
and occasional tension between, the wider goals of indigenous Maori language
revitalisation and the successful achievement of bilingualism and biliteracy in
Maori-medium educational contexts. Issues to do with current pedagogy, staffing
and resourcing of Maori-medium programmes are also examined. The paper
concludes with suggestions for the ongoing development and extension of Maori-medium education.

text: Maori-medium education: current issues and challenges. This paper summarises the key issues and challenges that have emerged from a
recent major report by the authors on Maori-medium education in Aotearoa/New
Zealand. The discussion is situated within a wider international analysis of
bilingual/immersion programmes, including heritage language programmes for
indigenous peoples. Key issues explored in the paper include the negotiation of,
and occasional tension between, the wider goals of indigenous Maori language
revitalisation and the successful achievement of bilingualism and biliteracy in
Maori-medium educational contexts. Issues to do with current pedagogy, staffing
and resourcing of Maori-medium programmes are also examined. The paper
concludes with suggestions for the ongoing development and extension of Maori-medium education.

year: 2005-01-01