The class of beta regression models is commonly used by practitioners to model variables that assume values in the standard unit interval (0, 1). It is based on the assumption that the dependent variable is beta-distributed and that its mean is related to a set of regressors through a linear predictor with unknown coefficients and a link function. The model also includes a precision parameter which may be constant or depend on a (potentially different) set of regressors through a link function as well. This approach naturally incorporates features such as heteroskedasticity or skewness which are commonly observed in data taking values in the standard unit interval, such as rates or proportions. This paper describes the betareg package which provides the class of beta regressions in the R system for statistical computing. The underlying theory is briefly outlined, the implementation discussed and illustrated in various replication exercises. / Series: Research Report Series / Department of Statistics and Mathematics

Recently, computational methods and software have been receiving more attention in the econometrics literature, emphasizing that they are integral components of modern econometric research. This has also promoted the development of many new econometrics software packages written in R and made available on the Comprehensive R Archive Network. This special volume on "Econometrics in R" features a selection of these recent activities that includes packages for econometric analysis of cross-section, time series and panel data. This introduction to the special volume highlights the contents of the contributions and embeds them into a brief overview of other past, present, and future projects for econometrics in R.

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a dimensionality reduction tool which captures the features of data set in low dimensional subspace. Traditional PCA uses L2-PCA and has much desired orthogonality properties, but is sensitive to outliers. PCA using L1 norm has been proposed as an alternative to counter the effect of outliers. The R environment for statistical computing already provides L2-PCA function prcomp(), but there are not many options for L1 norm PCA methods. The goal of the research was to create one R package with different options of PCA methods using L1 norm. So, we choose three different L1-PCA algorithms: PCA-L1 proposed by Kwak [10], L1-PCA* by Brooks et. al. [1], and L1-PCA by Ke and Kanade [9]; to create a package pcaL1 in R, interfacing with C implementation of these algorithms. An open source software for solving linear problems, CLP, is used to solve the optimization problems for L1-PCA* and L1-PCA. We use this package on human microbiome data to investigate the relationship between people based on colonizing bacteria.

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Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and sleep-related disorders share common risk factors such as obesity; but the interrelationships between T2DM and sleep disorders are not well examined. Aims: In this thesis I aimed to assess: 1. The longitudinal impact of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) on micro vascular complications in patient with T2DM. 2. The relationship between sleep quality, sleep duration and adiposity in patients with T2DM Methods: To examine the first aim, I utilized the data collected from a previous project that examined the cross-sectional associations between OSA and micro vascular complications in patients with T2DM and followed up the study participants longitudinally using 1-2-1 interviews and electronic health records. For aim 2, I conducted a crosssectional study in patients with young-onset T2DM who were recruited from Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and primary care. Result: For Aim 1: Depending on the micro vascular outcome examined, we had approximately 200 patients in the analysis. Patients were followed up for 2.5 years for renal outcomes, and 4-4.5 years for retinopathy and neuropathy outcomes. The prevalence of OSA was 63%. I found that baseline OSA was significantly associated with greater decline of eGFR and greater progression to pre-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy. I also found that OSA was associated with progression to a combined outcome of foot insensitivity or diabetic foot ulceration but this was a non-significant trend (p=0.06). In addition, I found that patients who received and were compliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment (delivered during routine care) had improvements in heart rate variability parameters by study end. For Aim 2: Poor sleep quality and shorter sleep duration were associated with increased total body fat% after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusion: I found that OSA plays an important role in the progression of micro vascular complications in patients with T2DM. Whether treatment with CPAP has a favourable impact on micro vascular complications is currently being examined in a randomized controlled trial. I also found that sleep duration and quality are associated with increased adiposity. The direction of this relationship need to be examined in longitudinal studies and interventional trials.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-03-29T23:55:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-12-19 / This research aims to investigate the design of psychopathology in the theory of Carl Rogers and its implications for contemporary clinical practice of psychotherapists who recognize themselves trained in Person Centred Approach. For this we present the evolution of the notion of psychopathology in the work of Carl Rogers, from the beginnings of his theory through the work "The Clinical Treatment of the Problem Child", prior to the development of their innovative proposal for brief moment; strolling through the phases of the theory of the author which were divided into: Phase No Policy (1940-1950), Reflective Phase (1950-1957), Experiential Phase (1957-1970) and Phase Collective and Inter-Human (1970-1987) ( Wood, 1983; Cury, 1987; Moreira 1990, 2001, 2007, 2010 and Holland, 1994). Also addressed the idea of psychopathology in phase, named by Moreira (2010/2013), as Post Rogerian or Neorrogeriana which consists of the practice and the Person Centered Approach contemporary literature. To understand how psychotherapists who recognize themselves trained in Person Centred Approach work with the issue of psychopathology in their clinical practices contemporary conducted qualitative research through critical phenomenological method proposed by Moreira (2004.2009) that finds its philosophical foundations in phenomenology Merleau-Ponty (1945/ 2006). Ten phenomenological interviews we conducted, which subsequently underwent worldly phenomenological analysis with the following starter question "How is it for you to work with patients who have some type of psychopathology? ". The Person Centred Approach appeared in the subjects' employees as the basis for clinical work with psychopathology; Attitudes Facilitators were enlarged, from the findings of this research, the attitudes of: recognizing psychopathology understand psychopathology, service availability, connection and co facilitation; Diagnosis as a label has been criticized by psychotherapists, but the importance of understanding the same was emphasized; the diagnostic manuals and the partnership with psychiatry were described as relevant in all cases; have exposed the difficulties and challenges of working with these patients and ultimately the experience of professionals in that specific type of therapeutic process was presented. Keywords: Psychopathology, Carl Rogers, Person Centred Approach, Psychotherapy, Contemporary. / Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo geral investigar a concepção de psicopatologia na teoria de Carl Rogers e suas implicações na prática clínica contemporânea de psicoterapeutas que se reconheçam com formação em Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa. Para isso nos centramos nos objetivos específicos nos quais apresentamos a evolução da noção de psicopatologia na obra de Carl Rogers. Abordamos também a ideia de psicopatologia na fase, nomeada por Moreira (2010/2013), como Pós-Rogeriana ou Neorrogeriana, que consiste na prática e literatura contemporânea da Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa. Para compreender como os psicoterapeutas que se reconhecem com formação em Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa trabalham com a questão da psicopatologia em suas práticas clínicas contemporâneas desenvolvemos pesquisa qualitativa com suporte no método fenomenológico crítico proposto por Moreira (2004,2009) que encontra seus fundamentos filosóficos na fenomenologia de Merleau-Ponty (1945/2006). Realizamos dez entrevistas fenomenológicas, posteriormente submetidas à análise fenomenológica mundana, com a seguinte pergunta disparadora ¿Como é para você trabalhar com pacientes que apresentam algum tipo de psicopatologia?¿. A Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa revelou-se na fala dos sujeitos colaboradores como a base para o trabalho clínico com a psicopatologia; as atitudes facilitadoras possibilitaram o desenvolvimento de habilidades, a partir dos achados desta pesquisa, tais como: reconhecer a psicopatologia, compreender os quadros psicopatológicos, disponibilidade no atendimento, vínculo e co-facilitação; o diagnóstico como rótulo foi criticado pelos psicoterapeutas, mas a importância da compreensão deste foi ressaltada; os manuais diagnósticos e a parceria com a psiquiatria foram descritos como relevantes nos atendimentos; foram expostas as dificuldades e os desafios de trabalhar com esses pacientes e por fim foi apresentada a experiência vivida dos profissionais nesse tipo específico de processo terapêutico. Palavras-chave: Psicopatologia, Carl Rogers, Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa, Psicoterapia, Contemporaneidade, Pesquisa Qualitativa.

This thesis details my contribution to the literature on military surgery, based on both front-line surgical experiences as well as research carried out on causes of death and disability, particularly in relation to limb injuries, the most common site of wounding in conflict. Injury analysis (6 papers). Injury prevention/mitigation (5 papers). Management (8 papers). Outcome (13 papers). Education (9 papers).

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Due to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) becoming available to perinatally acquired HIV positive (PAHIV+) individuals early in their lives, they were given the opportunity to live much longer than those born before them, with many now reaching adulthood. Literature suggests PAHIV positive adults may have faced stressors which increase chances of developing mental health problems for example, familial death, family disruption, stigma and negative environmental characteristics. Additionally, PAHIV+ adults live with the knowledge they have a sexually transmissible infection, even if they have never had sex, suggesting the chance of unique psychological challenges for this cohort. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and June 2015 with 8 PAHIV+ participant’s (five females, three males) aged 23 – 29 years, who attend an HIV charitable organisation. Interviews were analysed utilising Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This research aimed to illuminate and make sense of PAHIV+ individual’s experience of reaching adulthood. One overarching theme; ‘Evolving journey’ and five super-ordinate themes; ‘The changing responsibility of self’, ‘Reflecting on a difficult childhood’, ‘The stigma barrier’, ‘Development of sense of self’ and ‘Managing uncertainty’ were found. An interpretation of the participant’s experience is presented in the final analysis. These findings have important implications for all HCP’s supporting the psychosocial needs of PAHIV+ adults. Applicability of findings to the field of Counselling Psychology and considerations for future research are considered.