CLT for single functional index quantile regression under dependence structure

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic properties of a nonparametric conditional quantile estimation in the single functional index model for dependent functional data and censored at random responses are observed. First of all, we establish asymptotic properties for a conditional distribution estimator from which we derive an central limit theorem (CLT) of the conditional quantile estimator. Simulation study is also presented to illustrate the validity and finite sample performance of the considered estimator. Finally, the estimation of the functional index via the pseudo-maximum likelihood method is discussed, but not tackled.

Comparing the Slider Measure of Social Value Orientation with Its Main Alternatives

The Slider Measure of social value orientation (SVO) was introduced as an improvement from existing measures. We conduct an independent assessment of its suitability compared with the Ring Measure and the Triple Dominance Measure. Using a student sample, we assess the measures’ test-retest reliability (N = 88; using a longer time interval than previous studies) and sensitivity to random responses. Analyses pertaining to convergent validity, criterion validity, and the advantages of a continuous over a discrete measure are presented in the online appendix . Compared with alternatives, the Slider Measure has the highest test-retest reliability. However, it classifies random responses in an unbalanced way, assigning the vast majority of random responses to cooperative and individualistic, rather than altruistic and competitive, orientations. For all three measures, we propose improved ways of weeding out inconsistent responses.

Dealing with measurement error in list experiments: Choosing the right control list design

List experiments are widely used in the social sciences to elicit truthful responses to sensitive questions. Yet, the research design commonly suffers from the problem of measurement error in the form of non-strategic respondent error, where some inattentive participants might provide random responses. This type of error can result in severely biased estimates. A recently proposed solution is the use of a necessarily false placebo item to equalize the length of the treatment and control lists in order to alleviate concerns about respondent error. In this paper we show theoretically that placebo items do not in general eliminate bias caused by non-strategic respondent error. We introduce a new option, the mixed control list, and show how researchers can choose between different control list designs to minimize the problems caused by inattentive respondents. We provide researchers with practical guidance to think carefully about the bias that inattentive respondents might cause in a given application of the list experiment. We also report results from a large novel list experiment fielded to over 4900 respondents, specifically designed to illustrate our theoretical argument and recommendations.

Energy Flow Analysis of One-Dimensional Structures with Random Properties

In this work, the energy density responses of one-dimensional structures with random properties are investigated analytically. Based on Green kernels, analytical representations of energy density for vibrating rods and beams are proposed using the superposition of energy waves. Considering random properties in rods and beams, formulations of energy density responses are obtained. Then, the mathematical expectations and variances are derived. And response intervals for random responses are developed. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to validate the proposed formulations, and characteristics of the random energy density responses of rods and beams are analysed. The main contribution of this work is that a new approach to energy density responses is proposed which facilitates the vibration analysis of structures with uncertainty parameters.

Stochastic Analysis of Vehicle-Bridge Coupled Interaction and Uncertainty Bounds of Random Responses in Heavy Haul Railways

The systematic running safety assessment of railway bridges presents lots of challenges, one of which is estimating the uncertainty bounds of the structural responses of bridges under vehicle loads with multisource randomness. In this study, a probability safety assessment method is proposed for evaluating the uncertainty bounds of random time-history responses for the stochastic train-bridge coupled system. First, a refined probabilistic model for the train-bridge coupled system (TBS) in heavy haul railway is established with the multi-excitations of random track irregularities, random vehicle loads and stochastic structural parameters. The probability density evolution method (PDEM) is employed to obtain the solution of the time-varying probability transferred between the stochastic excitations and the output of the dynamic responses. Then, to establish a rapid and straightforward approach for the systematic running safety assessment of the TBS, the quantiles of the probability distribution are used to estimate the time-history uncertainty bounds of random responses of interest distributed in real probability functions. Case studies by the field test and numerical simulation are presented to verify and investigate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method. The results show that the quantiles of the probability distribution proposed are suitable for the systematic running safety assessment of the TBS.

Hardware Signature Generation Using a Hybrid PUF and FSM Model for an SoC Architecture

Security is becoming an important issue in the recent System on Chip (SoC) design due to various hardware attacks that can affect manufacturers, system designers or end users. Major issues include hardware Trojan attack, hardware intellectual property (IP) theft, such as an illegal sale or use of firm intellectual property cores or integrated circuits (ICs) and physical attacks. A hybrid model consisting of Arbiter PUF and Butterfly PUF are used to generate random responses which are fed to a Finite State Machine (FSM). A three-level FSM was designed to generate the signature correctly to authenticate IPs. The results were obtained with the help of three Intellectual Property (IP) cores – Zedboard OLED IP, ISCAS’89 s1423 Benchmark IP and a Full Adder IP. A 16-bit arbiter PUF and Butterfly PUF have been implemented on a 28nm FPGA. The average execution time to generate hardware signature for three IP cores was found to be 4.78 seconds (5 iterations) which is considerably low.

Tone painting and painting tones: A follow-up study of listeners’ audiovisual responses to Beethoven’s Thunder Storm

This follow-up pilot study investigates the effect of a six-month analysis course, during which college music majors learned to see the meaning of music as being essentially intra-musical. The study aims to explore relationships between intra- and extra-musical perceptions among subjects ( N = 33) while listening to Beethoven’s Thunder Storm ( Pastoral Symphony, 4th movement). During pre- and post-intervention sessions, listeners represented the music via self-invented audiovisual products (AVPs) and related notes. Four systems of conceptualization emerged: Random responses (category-R), reflecting no reference to the music; Associative contents (category-A), suggesting extra-musical interpretations; Compound responses (category-C), combining extra- and intra-musical contents; Intra-musical contents (category-I), referring to purely musical properties. A scale of 4-6-8-10 grades for the respective categories R-A-C-I was established, with the highest score for category-I which reflects fulfilment of the course objective. By comparing between pre- and post-intervention AVPs, results show an insignificant increase in I-responses (zero to 9.5%) and 52.6% of no conceptual change through phases. The most prominent response is the extra-musical (68%) often at both pre- and post- phases (47%). The study empowers the position that classical music evokes referential contents, which should be given as much attention in teaching and learning music as ‘analytical’ properties of sound.

Expectations and perceptual priming in a visual search task: Evidence from eye movements and behavior

An extensive amount of research indicates that repeating target and distractor features facilitates pop-out search while switching these features slows the search. Following the seminal study by Maljkovic & Nakayama (1994), this ‘priming of pop-out’ effect (PoP) has been widely described as an automatic bottom-up process that is independent of the observers' expectations. At the same time, numerous studies emphasize the crucial role of expectations in visual attention deployment. Our experiment shows that in contrast to previous claims, PoP in a classic color singleton search task is a mix of automatic priming and expectations. Participants searched for a uniquely-colored diamond among two same-colored distractors. Target color sequences were either predictable (e.g., two red-target-green-distractors trials, followed by two green-target-red- distractors trials, and so on) or random. Responses were faster in predictable color sequences than randomly changing ones with equal number of repetitions of target colors on preceding trials. Analysis of observers’ eye movements showed that predictability of target color affected both latency and accuracy of the first saccade during a search trial. Our results support the idea that PoP is governed not only by automatic effects from previous target or distractor features but also by top-down expectations.