Thesis (M.Hous.M.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-68). Also available in print.

This study compared three methods of detecting test item bias, the chi-square approach, the transformed item difficulties approach, and the Linn-Harnish three-parameter item response approach which is the only Item Response Theory (IRT) method that can be utilized with minority samples relatively small in size. The items on two tests which measured writing and reading skills were examined for evidence of sex and ethnic bias. Eight sets of samples, four from each test, were randomly selected from the population (N=7287) of sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students enrolled in a large, urban school district in the southwestern United States. Each set of samples, male/female, White/Hispanic, White/Black, and White/White, contained 800 examinees in the majority group and 200 in the minority group. In an attempt to control differences in ability that may have existed between the various population groups, examinees with scores greater or less than two standard deviations from their group's mean were eliminated. Ethnic samples contained equal numbers of each sex. The White/White sets of samples were utilized to provide baseline bias estimates because the tests could not logically be biased against these groups. Bias indices were then calculated for each set of samples with each of the three methods. Findings of this study indicate that the percent agreement between the Linn-Harnish IRT method and the chisquare and transformed difficulties methods is similar to that found in previous studies comparing the latter approaches with other IRT methods requiring large minority samples. Therefore, it appears that the Linn-Harnish IRT approach can be used in lieu of other more restrictive IRT methods. Ethnic bias appears to exist in the two tests as measured by the large mean bias indices for the White/Hispanic and White/Black samples. Little sex bias was found as evidenced by the low mean bias indices of the male/ female samples and the fact that the male/female mean bias indices were lower than those of the White/White in 33% of the samples.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was: (1) to evaluate the level of grief experienced by healthcare providers in a pediatric subacute facility, (2) to compare the levels of grief between different groups of healthcare providers (Certified Nurses' Aides, Licensed Nurses, and Respiratory Care Practitioners), and (3) to describe the personality/demographic factors that influence a healthcare provider's ability to cope effectively with compound grief.

his thesis deals with the supply and demand and the impact of advertising on these two microeconomic variables. The work is focused on describing the operation of supply and demand from marketing point of view and not from a microeconomic perspective. In the theoretical part of this work to explain the essence of marketing and advertising, that can well influence the need and demand for goods and services. I'm also concerned with marketing mix and communication mix, which is the theoretical basis for the establishment of marketing activities to promote services and products. The theoretical outline the development of communication campaigns, as each campaign must be properly planned so as to be successful. The aim of this thesis is to examine the functioning of supply and demand, and assess the impact of advertising on supply and demand. This issue in a practical example of the real estate agents Dachi,Ltd., based in Olomouc. Practically make a quantitative marketing research methods and hypotheses are tested using a test of goodness of fit chi-square.

The content of this thesis is the design and statistical tests of two di erent hardware random number generators. It also includes an overview of the sources of entropy, algorithms used to correct deviations from the normal distribution and the description of statistical tests.

Master's thesis is focused on solution of the statistical problem to find a probability distribution of a discrete random variable on the basis of the observed data. These estimates are obtained by minimizing pseudo-quasinorm which is introduced here.The thesis further focuses on atributes of this pseudo-quasinorm. It also contains practical application of these methods.

Digital twins have become a large part of new cyber-physical systems as they allow for the simulation of a physical object in the digital world. In addition to the new approaches of digital twins, machines have become more intelligent, allowing them to produce more data than ever before. Within the area of digital twins, there is a need for a less complex approach than a fully optimised digital twin. This approach is more like a digital shadow of the physical object. Therefore, the focus of this thesis is to study machine states and statistical distributions for all sensors in a machine. Where as majority of studies in the literature focuses on generating data from a digital twin, this study focuses on what characteristics a digital twin have. The solution is by defining a term named digital machine template that contains the states and statistical properties of each sensor in a given machine. The primary approach is to create a proof of work application that uses traditional data mining technologies and clustering to analyze how many states there are in a machine and how the sensor data is structured. It all results in a digital machine template with all of the information mentioned above. The results contain all the states a machine might have and the possible statistical distributions of each senor in each state. The digital machine template opens the possibility of using it as a basis for creating a digital twins. It allows the time of development to be shorter than that of a regular digital twin. More research still needs to be done as the less complex approach may lead to missing information or information not being interpreted correctly. It still shows promises as a less complex way of looking at digital twins since it may become necessary due to digital twins becoming even more complex by the day.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating and chronic condition with an array of symptoms, the most distinguishable being widespread pain. FMS patients experience a marked decrease in quality of life related to intensity of symptoms. Current treatment options and pharmaceuticals do not provide adequate relief. This thesis examines integrative and complementary therapy options for symptom management and improvement of quality of life for FMS patients. A literature review was conducted of English current research using multiple databases. Findings indicate mindful movement therapies (MMT) such as yoga and tai chi, mindfulness, sensory-related relaxation techniques with guided imagery, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) provided some relief and increased in perceived quality of life (QoL).

La danza de las nieves del tai chi pö tibetano es una danza milenaria oriental con influencia de las artes marciales chinas y tibetanas, una herramienta que confiere un entrenamiento dramático corporal, mental y espiritual actoral para construir un cuerpo nuevo. Por ello, se entabló la conexión de los estudios de Jerzy Grotowski, Eugenio Barba & Nicola Savaresse, y Antunes Filho sobre el trabajo del actor sobre sí mismo con los conceptos que componen al del tai chi desde la filosofía taoísta y tibetana, compartiendo ambos los principios de desequilibrio, oposición, respiración y energía como parte fundamental de la autoexploración y autoconocimiento en el entrenamiento actoral para construir un cuerpo nuevo. Siendo que el principio de oposición trabaja las posibilidades conflicto en el cuerpo y el desequilibrio trabaja las posibilidades de las tensiones, las cuales a través de la meditación se trabaja la conciencia a la atención de hacia dónde se dirige la energía para que el cuerpo se exprese con organicidad. En este sentido, la presente investigación parte del diseño de un laboratorio práctico frente al mar en el que un grupo de actores se sumergen a un entrenamiento individual, grupal y espacial desde la ejecución repetitiva de la meditación en movimiento. Por lo que, este entrenamiento permite desarrollar el drama en el cuerpo de los actores a partir de trascender sus propias limitaciones y explorar posibilidades para formar un repertorio corporal. Es así, que esta investigación teórico práctica se propone como una vía para contribuir a los actores en su preparación para la escena y como humanos.