Higher order inference for the consensus mean in inter-laboratory studies

2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaurav Sharma ◽  
Thomas Mathew
Author(s):  
Jeffrey T. Fong

We begin this expository essay by reviewing, with examples from the materials and fabrication testing literature, what a typical engineer already knows about statistics. We then consider a central question in engineering decision making, i.e., given a computer simulation of high-consequence systems, how do we verify and validate (V & V) and what are the margins of errors of all the important predicted results? To answer this question, we assert that we need three basic tools that already exist in statistical and metrological sciences: (A) Error Analysis. (B) Experimental Design. (C) Uncertainty Analysis. Those three tools, to be known as A B C of statistics, were developed through a powerful linkage between the statistical and metrological sciences. By extending the key concepts of this linkage from physical experiments to numerical simulations, we propose a new approach to answering the V & V question posed earlier. The key concepts are: (1) Uncertainty as defined in ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (1993). (2) Design of experiments prior to data collection in a randomized or orthogonal scheme to evaluate interactions among model variables. (3) Standard reference benchmarks for calibration, and inter-laboratory studies for “weighted” consensus mean. To illustrate the need for and to discuss the plausibility of this metrology-based approach to V & V, two example problems are presented: (a) the verification of 12 simulations of the deformation of a cantilever beam, and (b) the calculation of a mean time to failure for a uniformly loaded 100-column single-floor steel grillage on fire.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Povinelli ◽  
Gabrielle C. Glorioso ◽  
Shannon L. Kuznar ◽  
Mateja Pavlic

Abstract Hoerl and McCormack demonstrate that although animals possess a sophisticated temporal updating system, there is no evidence that they also possess a temporal reasoning system. This important case study is directly related to the broader claim that although animals are manifestly capable of first-order (perceptually-based) relational reasoning, they lack the capacity for higher-order, role-based relational reasoning. We argue this distinction applies to all domains of cognition.


1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 179-187
Author(s):  
Clifford N. Matthews ◽  
Rose A. Pesce-Rodriguez ◽  
Shirley A. Liebman

AbstractHydrogen cyanide polymers – heterogeneous solids ranging in color from yellow to orange to brown to black – may be among the organic macromolecules most readily formed within the Solar System. The non-volatile black crust of comet Halley, for example, as well as the extensive orangebrown streaks in the atmosphere of Jupiter, might consist largely of such polymers synthesized from HCN formed by photolysis of methane and ammonia, the color observed depending on the concentration of HCN involved. Laboratory studies of these ubiquitous compounds point to the presence of polyamidine structures synthesized directly from hydrogen cyanide. These would be converted by water to polypeptides which can be further hydrolyzed to α-amino acids. Black polymers and multimers with conjugated ladder structures derived from HCN could also be formed and might well be the source of the many nitrogen heterocycles, adenine included, observed after pyrolysis. The dark brown color arising from the impacts of comet P/Shoemaker-Levy 9 on Jupiter might therefore be mainly caused by the presence of HCN polymers, whether originally present, deposited by the impactor or synthesized directly from HCN. Spectroscopic detection of these predicted macromolecules and their hydrolytic and pyrolytic by-products would strengthen significantly the hypothesis that cyanide polymerization is a preferred pathway for prebiotic and extraterrestrial chemistry.


Author(s):  
G.F. Bastin ◽  
H.J.M. Heijligers

Among the ultra-light elements B, C, N, and O nitrogen is the most difficult element to deal with in the electron probe microanalyzer. This is mainly caused by the severe absorption that N-Kα radiation suffers in carbon which is abundantly present in the detection system (lead-stearate crystal, carbonaceous counter window). As a result the peak-to-background ratios for N-Kα measured with a conventional lead-stearate crystal can attain values well below unity in many binary nitrides . An additional complication can be caused by the presence of interfering higher-order reflections from the metal partner in the nitride specimen; notorious examples are elements such as Zr and Nb. In nitrides containing these elements is is virtually impossible to carry out an accurate background subtraction which becomes increasingly important with lower and lower peak-to-background ratios. The use of a synthetic multilayer crystal such as W/Si (2d-spacing 59.8 Å) can bring significant improvements in terms of both higher peak count rates as well as a strong suppression of higher-order reflections.


Author(s):  
H. S. Kim ◽  
S. S. Sheinin

The importance of image simulation in interpreting experimental lattice images is well established. Normally, in carrying out the required theoretical calculations, only zero order Laue zone reflections are taken into account. In this paper we assess the conditions for which this procedure is valid and indicate circumstances in which higher order Laue zone reflections may be important. Our work is based on an analysis of the requirements for obtaining structure images i.e. images directly related to the projected potential. In the considerations to follow, the Bloch wave formulation of the dynamical theory has been used.The intensity in a lattice image can be obtained from the total wave function at the image plane is given by: where ϕg(z) is the diffracted beam amplitide given by In these equations,the z direction is perpendicular to the entrance surface, g is a reciprocal lattice vector, the Cg(i) are Fourier coefficients in the expression for a Bloch wave, b(i), X(i) is the Bloch wave excitation coefficient, ϒ(i)=k(i)-K, k(i) is a Bloch wave vector, K is the electron wave vector after correction for the mean inner potential of the crystal, T(q) and D(q) are the transfer function and damping function respectively, q is a scattering vector and the summation is over i=l,N where N is the number of beams taken into account.


Author(s):  
Julian M. Etzel ◽  
Gabriel Nagy

Abstract. In the current study, we examined the viability of a multidimensional conception of perceived person-environment (P-E) fit in higher education. We introduce an optimized 12-item measure that distinguishes between four content dimensions of perceived P-E fit: interest-contents (I-C) fit, needs-supplies (N-S) fit, demands-abilities (D-A) fit, and values-culture (V-C) fit. The central aim of our study was to examine whether the relationships between different P-E fit dimensions and educational outcomes can be accounted for by a higher-order factor that captures the shared features of the four fit dimensions. Relying on a large sample of university students in Germany, we found that students distinguish between the proposed fit dimensions. The respective first-order factors shared a substantial proportion of variance and conformed to a higher-order factor model. Using a newly developed factor extension procedure, we found that the relationships between the first-order factors and most outcomes were not fully accounted for by the higher-order factor. Rather, with the exception of V-C fit, all specific P-E fit factors that represent the first-order factors’ unique variance showed reliable and theoretically plausible relationships with different outcomes. These findings support the viability of a multidimensional conceptualization of P-E fit and the validity of our adapted instrument.


1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Molander ◽  
Lars Bäckman

Highly skilled miniature golf players were examined in a series of field and laboratory studies. The principal finding from these studies is that young and young adult players (range = 15-38 years) score equally well or better in competition than in training whereas older adult players (range = 46-73 years) perform worse in competitive events than under training conditions. It was also found that the impairment in motor performance on the part of the older players is associated with age-related deficits in basic cognitive abilities, such as memory and attention. These results support the hypothesis that older players may be able to compensate for age-related deficits under relaxed conditions, but not under conditions of high arousal. The possibility of improving the performance of the older players in stressful situations by means of various intervention programs is discussed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Krumm ◽  
Lothar Schmidt-Atzert ◽  
Kurt Michalczyk ◽  
Vanessa Danthiir

Mental speed (MS) and sustained attention (SA) are theoretically distinct constructs. However, tests of MS are very similar to SA tests that use time pressure as an impeding condition. The performance in such tasks largely relies on the participants’ speed of task processing (i.e., how quickly and correctly one can perform the simple cognitive tasks). The present study examined whether SA and MS are empirically the same or different constructs. To this end, 24 paper-pencil and computerized tests were administered to 199 students. SA turned out to be highly related to MS task classes: substitution and perceptual speed. Furthermore, SA showed a very close relationship with the paper-pencil MS factor. The correlation between SA and computerized speed was considerably lower but still high. In a higher-order general speed factor model, SA had the highest loading on the higher-order factor; the higher-order factor explained 88% of SA variance. It is argued that SA (as operationalized with tests using time pressure as an impeding condition) and MS cannot be differentiated, at the level of broad constructs. Implications for neuropsychological assessment and future research are discussed.


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