Hierarchical Bayesian modeling for the spatial analysis of robberies in Toronto, Canada

Ravi Ancil Persad 대한공간정보학회 2020 Spatial Information Research Vol.28 No.2

This paper investigates the geographic variation of robbery risk in Toronto, Canada. A hierarchical Bayesian modeling approach is used for estimating the relative risk of robberies across Toronto’s 140 neighbourhood districts in 2017. The association between robbery risk and various socio-economic explanatory variables (i.e., business density, education and income levels) are analyzed using a Poisson-based spatial regression model. Markov Chain Monte Carlo model fitting is utilized for the estimation of relative risk and associated regression parameters. Results reveal that elevated levels of robbery risk are predominant in the eastern, north-western and southern neighbourhoods of Toronto whereas, lower risk areas are situated in the central neighbourhoods. Across all neighbourhoods, there was a geographical difference in robbery risk, ranging from 0.17 (95% CI 0.05–0.38) to 4.87 (95% CI 4.22–5.55). Education and income variables had a negative association with robberies at posterior probabilities of 96.9% and 85.5% respectively, whereas business density had a positive association with robberies at a posterior probability of 100%. Hence, neighbourhoods with higher amounts of businesses, lower education levels and lower household incomes tend to have a higher mean amount of robberies in Toronto and thus higher associated risks.

Assessment of Staffing Needs for Construction Inspection

김대영,Khali R. Persad,Nabeel A. Khwaja,지석호 대한토목학회 2016 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.20 No.7

In recent years, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has been facing a shortage of Construction Engineering (CE) staff due to workforce challenges such as staff turnover, retirement of experienced staff, and hiring freezes. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate CE staff needs for TxDOT construction projects. To accomplish this, projects constructed during the 10- year period of 2001-2011 were analyzed. The results indicated that large and metro projects tend to require more CE staff hours compared to smaller and/or rural projects. In particular, capacity-adding projects such as interchanges and widening projects require up to 4.45 times the CE hours needed for pavement projects. This study’s findings provide a basis for estimating TxDOT’s CE staffing, and ultimately contribute to efficiency improvements by providing an appropriate level of CE staff based on project type, size, and location.

Design and Implementation of Computer-Based Training: A Quality Assurance Approach

Ellis, Ruel-L.A.,Persad, Prakash The Korean Society for Quality Management 2004 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.5 No.2

Distance Education is a non-traditional mode of training and can take many forms, one of which is the use of Computer Based Training (CBT). This paper reviews various quality assurance models for designing the delivery of programmes at the universities and other training institutions. It presents the findings of a CBT research that is currently being carried out at the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of the West Indies, Trinidad. The significance of the research is discussed with particular emphasis on the influence of curricula sequencing on knowledge acquisition in learners of varying cognitive styles. The paper concludes that adherence to quality assurance principles could result in the enhanced performance of users of the CBT.

Design and Implementation of Computer-Based Training: A Quality Assurance Approach

( Ruel L. A. Ellis ),( Prakash Persad ) 한국품질경영학회 2004 The Asian Journal on Quality Vol.5 No.2

DNA damage response revisited: the p53 family and its regulators provide endless cancer therapy opportunities

Abuetabh Yasser,Wu H. Helena,Chai Chengsen,Al Yousef Habib,Persad Sujata,Sergi Consolato M.,Leng Roger 생화학분자생물학회 2022 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.54 No.-

Antitumor therapeutic strategies that fundamentally rely on the induction of DNA damage to eradicate and inhibit the growth of cancer cells are integral approaches to cancer therapy. Although DNA-damaging therapies advance the battle with cancer, resistance, and recurrence following treatment are common. Thus, searching for vulnerabilities that facilitate the action of DNA-damaging agents by sensitizing cancer cells is an active research area. Therefore, it is crucial to decipher the detailed molecular events involved in DNA damage responses (DDRs) to DNA-damaging agents in cancer. The tumor suppressor p53 is active at the hub of the DDR. Researchers have identified an increasing number of genes regulated by p53 transcriptional functions that have been shown to be critical direct or indirect mediators of cell fate, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) primarily orchestrate and direct the activity of p53 in response to DNA damage. Many molecules mediating PTMs on p53 have been identified. The anticancer potential realized by targeting these molecules has been shown through experiments and clinical trials to sensitize cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents. This review briefly acknowledges the complexity of DDR pathways/networks. We specifically focus on p53 regulators, protein kinases, and E3/E4 ubiquitin ligases and their anticancer potential.

중심-상완 혈압파형 재현을 위한 심혈관계 하드웨어 시뮬레이터

정재학(Jae-Hak Jeong),이보미(Bomi Lee),홍준기(Junki Hong),민창희(Changhee Min),Persad, Adelle Ria,박용화(Yong-Hwa Park) 대한기계학회 2023 대한기계학회 춘추학술대회 Vol.2023 No.11

Incidence of Bladder Cancer in Sri Lanka: Analysis of the Cancer Registry Data and Review of the Incidence of Bladder Cancer in the South Asian Population

Weranja K. B. Ranasinghe,Daswin De Silva,M.V.C. De Silva,Tamra I J Ranasinghe,Nathan Lawrentschuk,Damien Bolton,Raj Persad 대한비뇨의학회 2012 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.53 No.5

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of bladder cancer (BC) in Sri Lanka and to compare risk factors and outcomes with those of other South Asian nations and South Asian migrants to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Materials and Methods: The incidence of BC in Sri Lanka was examined by using two separate cancer registry databases over a 5-year period. Smoking rates were compiled by using a population-based survey from 2001 to 2009 and the relative risk was calculated by using published data. Results: A total of 637 new cases of BC were diagnosed over the 5-year period. Sri Lankan BC incidence increased from 1985 but remained low (1.36 and 0.3 per 100,000 in males and females) and was similar to the incidence in other South Asian countries. The incidence was lower, however, than in migrant populations in the US and the UK. In densely populated districts of Sri Lanka, these rates almost doubled. Urothelial carcinoma accounted for 72%. The prevalence of male smokers in Sri Lanka was 39%, whereas Pakistan had higher smoking rates with a 6-fold increase in BC. Conclusions: Sri Lankan BC incidence was low, similar to other South Asian countries (apart from Pakistan), but the actual incidence is likely higher than the cancer registry rates. Smoking is likely to be the main risk factor for BC. Possible under-reporting in rural areas could account for the low rates of BC in Sri Lanka. Any genetic or environmental protective effects of BC in South Asians seem to be lost on migration to the UK or the US and with higher levels of smoking, as seen in Pakistan. Purpose: To investigate the incidence of bladder cancer (BC) in Sri Lanka and to compare risk factors and outcomes with those of other South Asian nations and South Asian migrants to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Materials and Methods: The incidence of BC in Sri Lanka was examined by using two separate cancer registry databases over a 5-year period. Smoking rates were compiled by using a population-based survey from 2001 to 2009 and the relative risk was calculated by using published data. Results: A total of 637 new cases of BC were diagnosed over the 5-year period. Sri Lankan BC incidence increased from 1985 but remained low (1.36 and 0.3 per 100,000 in males and females) and was similar to the incidence in other South Asian countries. The incidence was lower, however, than in migrant populations in the US and the UK. In densely populated districts of Sri Lanka, these rates almost doubled. Urothelial carcinoma accounted for 72%. The prevalence of male smokers in Sri Lanka was 39%, whereas Pakistan had higher smoking rates with a 6-fold increase in BC. Conclusions: Sri Lankan BC incidence was low, similar to other South Asian countries (apart from Pakistan), but the actual incidence is likely higher than the cancer registry rates. Smoking is likely to be the main risk factor for BC. Possible under-reporting in rural areas could account for the low rates of BC in Sri Lanka. Any genetic or environmental protective effects of BC in South Asians seem to be lost on migration to the UK or the US and with higher levels of smoking, as seen in Pakistan.