scholarly journals Choice of positive distribution law for nuclear data

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Sébastien Lahaye

Nuclear data evaluation files in the ENDF6 format provide mean values and associated uncertainties for physical quantities relevant in nuclear physics. Uncertainties are denoted as Δ in the format description, and are commonly understood as standard deviations. Uncertainties can be completed by covariance matrices. The evaluations do not provide any indication on the probability density function to be used when sampling. Three constraints must be observed: the mean value, the standard deviation and the positivity of the physical quantity. MENDEL code generally uses positively truncated Gaussian distribution laws for small relative standard deviations and a lognormal law for larger uncertainty levels (>50%). Indeed, the use of truncated Gaussian laws can modify the mean and standard deviation value. In this paper, we will make explicit the error in the mean value and the standard deviation when using different types of distribution laws. We also employ the principle of maximum entropy as a criterion to choose among the truncated Gaussian, the fitted Gaussian and the lognormal distribution. Remarkably, the difference in terms of entropy between the candidate distribution laws is a function of the relative standard deviation only. The obtained results provide therefore general guidance for the choice among these distributions.

1959 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walton H Marsh ◽  
Benjamin Fingerhut ◽  
Elaine Kirsch

Abstract The alkaline phosphatase method of Kind and King was adapted to an automated recording colorimeter. The precision of the automated method (1 standard deviation as per cent of the mean value) was ±1.7 and for the manual method ±3.6 per cent. The color produced was proportional to the enzyme concentration by both methods, and recoveries of added phenol were satisfactory. In more than 150 serum specimens surveyed for enzyme activity, over 95 per cent of the results (2 standard deviations) of the 2 methods in the range 3.4-129 agree to within ±2.8 King-Armstrong units/1OO ml.


1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 801-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank E Mcdonough ◽  
Fred H Steinke ◽  
Ghulam Sarwar ◽  
Bjorn O Eggum ◽  
Ricardo Bressani ◽  
...  

Abstract Eight laboratories participated In a collaborative study to estimate precision of a standardized rat assay for determining true protein digestibility In selected animal, fish, and cereal products. Each of 7 test protein sources (casein, tuna fish, macaroni/cheese, pea protein concentrate, rolled oats, pinto beans, and nonfat dried milk) was fed as the sole source of protein at a 10% protein level in mixed diets. Each diet was fed to 2 replicate groups of 4 rats each for a 4-day acclimation period and a 5-day balance period. Mean digestibilities ranged from 98.6% for casein to 72.6% for pinto beans. Repeatability standard deviations ranged from 0.5 to 2.0%; the mean relative standard deviation for repeatability was 0.9% (range 0.5-2.8%). Reproducibility standard deviations ranged from 1.2 to 3.2%, and the mean relative standard deviation for reproducibility was 2.4% (range 1.3- 4.4%). The method has been approved interim official first action for determining true protein digestibility In foods and ingredients


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 5847-5860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Grossi ◽  
Felix R. Vogel ◽  
Roger Curcoll ◽  
Alba Àgueda ◽  
Arturo Vargas ◽  
...  

Abstract. The ClimaDat station at Gredos (GIC3) has been continuously measuring atmospheric (dry air) mixing ratios of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), as well as meteorological parameters, since November 2012. In this study we investigate the atmospheric variability of CH4 mixing ratios between 2013 and 2015 at GIC3 with the help of co-located observations of 222Rn concentrations, modelled 222Rn fluxes and modelled planetary boundary layer heights (PBLHs). Both daily and seasonal changes in atmospheric CH4 can be better understood with the help of atmospheric concentrations of 222Rn (and the corresponding fluxes). On a daily timescale, the variation in the PBLH is the main driver for 222Rn and CH4 variability while, on monthly timescales, their atmospheric variability seems to depend on emission changes. To understand (changing) CH4 emissions, nocturnal fluxes of CH4 were estimated using two methods: the radon tracer method (RTM) and a method based on the EDGARv4.2 bottom-up emission inventory, both using FLEXPARTv9.0.2 footprints. The mean value of RTM-based methane fluxes (FR_CH4) is 0.11 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 with a standard deviation of 0.09 or 0.29 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 with a standard deviation of 0.23 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 when using a rescaled 222Rn map (FR_CH4_rescale). For our observational period, the mean value of methane fluxes based on the bottom-up inventory (FE_CH4) is 0.33 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 with a standard deviation of 0.08 mg CH4 m−2 h−1. Monthly CH4 fluxes based on RTM (both FR_CH4 and FR_CH4_rescale) show a seasonality which is not observed for monthly FE_CH4 fluxes. During January–May, RTM-based CH4 fluxes present mean values 25 % lower than during June–December. This seasonal increase in methane fluxes calculated by RTM for the GIC3 area appears to coincide with the arrival of transhumant livestock at GIC3 in the second half of the year.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P117-P117
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Umeki ◽  
Kenji Takasaki ◽  
Kaori Enatsu ◽  
Fujinobu Tanaka ◽  
Hidetaka Kumagami ◽  
...  

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effects of a tongue-holding maneuver (THM) during swallowing, using a novel high-resolution manometry (HRM) system. Methods 27 asymptomatic adult Japanese controls were studied. A solid-state HRM assembly with 36 circumferential sensors spaced 1 cm apart was positioned to record pressures during swallowing from the velopharynx to the upper esophagus. The maximum values of the dry swallowing pressures at meso-hypopharynx, the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and the mean values at meso-hypopharynx with and without THM were measured. Results The maximum values of dry swallowing pressures with and without THM were 195.0±77.2 (mmHg, mean ± standard deviation), and 178.1±53.0 at the meso-hypopharynx, and 213.4±74.0 and 190.0±95.0 at the UES, respectively. The mean values with and without THM at meso-hypopharynx were 47.4±11.9, and 44.0±11.2, respectively. The maximum value at UES (p=0.0347), and the mean value at the meso-hypopharynx (p=0.0124) of dry swallowing pressures with THM were significantly higher than those without THM. Conclusions These findings indicate that the THM has a potential to facilitate compensatory swallowing power at the pharynx and upper esophagus. HRM will provide us with important information about the swallowing physiology, and pathophysiology along the velopharynx, and upper esophagus.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-60
Author(s):  
A. E. Lun'kov ◽  
U. A. Gladilin ◽  
K. E. Ibragimova

For microscopic objects in the form of spheres of different radii have been calculated the functions of distribution of the cross sections radii, taking into account the dependence on the position of the plane of the slice. Taking into account this dependence, the distribution functions of the cross sections radii of the spheres whose radii were given by the normal distribution law with the variation of its parameters were calculated. It is found that the difference between the given distribution function of the radii of spheres and the distribution function of their sections in the plane of the slice depends on the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean value of the radii. Depending on this relation, two simple algorithms are proposed to reconstruct the distribution function of the radii of objects by the distribution function of the radii of their sections. It is shown that these algorithms can be used to correct the experimental curve of the size distribution of micro-objects in the form of ellipsoid.


1972 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 347-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Shtejns

It is assumed that the accumulation of small, independent, random perturbations in the reciprocal semimajor axis of the orbit of a comet follows a normal distribution law whose standard deviation is a function of the inclination and perihelion distance and that for nongravitational forces it is a function of perihelion distances only; it is also assumed that secular accelerations do not change into decelerations, and vice versa. The standard deviations given by diffusion theory are in good agreement with the mean values of nongravitational impulses obtained from calculations from short overlapping arcs. The mean lifetime of a comet is found to be one hundred revolutions. To explain why many more near-parabolic comets are actually discovered than are theoretically expected the existence of comets of very short lifetimes must be accepted.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Traut

IntroductionThe most commonly used effect size when using meta-analysis to compare a measurement of interest in two different populations is the standardised mean difference. This is the mean difference of the measurement divided by the pooled standard deviation in the two groups. The standard deviation is usually supposed to be the same for both groups, although this assumption is often made without any particular evidence. It is possible, however, that the difference of the measurement in the two populations resides precisely in their standard deviations. This could be the case, for example, if a population of patients exhibited more “abnormal” values than a control population – both large and small – even if the mean values were the same. Fisher’s test of equality of variance is designed to compare standard deviations. A variance ratio is a Fisher’s ratio and Fisher distribution can be used to give confidence intervals to the estimate for one study. However, confidence interval for one study can be very wide if the study does not contain enough subjects. Here we present an approach to combine variance ratios of different studies in a meta-analytic way which produces more robust estimates under these circumstances.


2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.D. Gurney ◽  
D.S.L. Lawrence

Seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of snow and meltwater were investigated in a sub-arctic, mountainous, but non-glacial, catchment at Okstindan in northern Norway based on analyses of δ18O and δD. Samples were collected during four field periods (August 1998; April 1999; June 1999 and August 1999) at three sites lying on an altitudinal transect (740–970 m a.s.l.). Snowpack data display an increase in the mean values of δ18O (increasing from a mean value of −13.51 to −11.49‰ between April and August), as well as a decrease in variability through the melt period. Comparison with a regional meteoric water line indicates that the slope of the δ18O–δD line for the snowpacks decreases over the same period, dropping from 7.49 to approximately 6.2.This change points to the role of evaporation in snowpack ablation and is confirmed by the vertical profile of deuterium excess. Snowpack seepage data, although limited, also suggest reduced values of δD, as might be associated with local evaporation during meltwater generation. In general, meltwaters were depleted in δ18O relative to the source snowpack at the peak of the melt (June), but later in the year (August) the difference between the two was not statistically significant. The diurnal pattern of isotopic composition indicates that the most depleted meltwaters coincide with the peak in temperature and, hence, meltwater production.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2421
Author(s):  
Roberta Fusco ◽  
Vincenza Granata ◽  
Mauro Mattace Raso ◽  
Paolo Vallone ◽  
Alessandro Pasquale De Rosa ◽  
...  

Purpose. To combine blood oxygenation level dependent magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-MRI), dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), and diffusion weighted MRI (DW-MRI) in differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Methods. Thirty-seven breast lesions (11 benign and 21 malignant lesions) pathologically proven were included in this retrospective preliminary study. Pharmaco-kinetic parameters including Ktrans, kep, ve, and vp were extracted by DCE-MRI; BOLD parameters were estimated by basal signal S0 and the relaxation rate R2*; and diffusion and perfusion parameters were derived by DW-MRI (pseudo-diffusion coefficient (Dp), perfusion fraction (fp), and tissue diffusivity (Dt)). The correlation coefficient, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were calculated and area under the ROC curve (AUC) was obtained. Moreover, pattern recognition approaches (linear discrimination analysis and decision tree) with balancing technique and leave one out cross validation approach were considered. Results. R2* and D had a significant negative correlation (−0.57). The mean value, standard deviation, Skewness and Kurtosis values of R2* did not show a statistical significance between benign and malignant lesions (p > 0.05) confirmed by the ‘poor’ diagnostic value of ROC analysis. For DW-MRI derived parameters, the univariate analysis, standard deviation of D, Skewness and Kurtosis values of D* had a significant result to discriminate benign and malignant lesions and the best result at the univariate analysis in the discrimination of benign and malignant lesions was obtained by the Skewness of D* with an AUC of 82.9% (p-value = 0.02). Significant results for the mean value of Ktrans, mean value, standard deviation value and Skewness of kep, mean value, Skewness and Kurtosis of ve were obtained and the best AUC among DCE-MRI extracted parameters was reached by the mean value of kep and was equal to 80.0%. The best diagnostic performance in the discrimination of benign and malignant lesions was obtained at the multivariate analysis considering the DCE-MRI parameters alone with an AUC = 0.91 when the balancing technique was considered. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the combined use of DCE-MRI, DW-MRI and/or BOLD-MRI does not provide a dramatic improvement compared to the use of DCE-MRI features alone, in the classification of breast lesions. However, an interesting result was the negative correlation between R2* and D.


Author(s):  
Yuko Komuro ◽  
Yuji Ohta

Conventionally, the strength of toe plantar flexion (STPF) is measured in a seated position, in which not only the target toe joints but also the knee and particularly ankle joints, are usually restrained. We have developed an approach for the measurement of STPF which does not involve restraint and considers the interactions of adjacent joints of the lower extremities. This study aimed to evaluate this new approach and comparing with the seated approach. A thin, light-weight, rigid plate was attached to the sole of the foot in order to immobilize the toe area. Participants were 13 healthy young women (mean age: 24 ± 4 years). For measurement of STPF with the new approach, participants were instructed to stand, raise the device-wearing leg slightly, plantar flex the ankle, and push the sensor sheet with the toes to exert STPF. The sensor sheet of the F-scan II system was inserted between the foot sole and the plate. For measurement with the seated approach, participants were instructed to sit and push the sensor with the toes. They were required to maintain the hip, knee, and ankle joints at 90°. The mean values of maximum STPF of the 13 participants obtained with each approach were compared. There was no significant difference in mean value of maximum STPF when the two approaches were compared (new: 59 ± 23 N, seated: 47 ± 33 N). The coefficient of variation of maximum STPF was smaller for data obtained with the new approach (new: 39%, seated: 70%). Our simple approach enables measurement of STPF without the need for the restraints that are required for the conventional seated approach. These results suggest that the new approach is a valid method for measurement of STPF.


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