Sequential Probabilistic Ratio Test for the Scale Parameter of the P -Norm Distribution

We consider a series of independent observations from a P -norm distribution with the position parameter μ and the scale parameter σ . We test the simple hypothesis H 0 : σ = σ 1 versus H 1 : σ = σ 2 . Firstly, we give the stop rule and decision rule of sequential probabilistic ratio test (SPRT). Secondly, we prove the existence of h σ which needs to satisfy the specific situation in SPRT method, and the approximate formula of the mean sample function is derived. Finally, a simulation example is given. The simulation shows that the ratio of sample size required by SPRT and the classic Neyman–Pearson N − P test is about 50.92 % at most, 38.30 % at least.

WoZ4U: An Open-Source Wizard-of-Oz Interface for Easy, Efficient and Robust HRI Experiments

Wizard-of-Oz experiments play a vital role in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), as they allow for quick and simple hypothesis testing. Still, a publicly available general tool to conduct such experiments is currently not available in the research community, and researchers often develop and implement their own tools, customized for each individual experiment. Besides being inefficient in terms of programming efforts, this also makes it harder for non-technical researchers to conduct Wizard-of-Oz experiments. In this paper, we present a general and easy-to-use tool for the Pepper robot, one of the most commonly used robots in this context. While we provide the concrete interface for Pepper robots only, the system architecture is independent of the type of robot and can be adapted for other robots. A configuration file, which saves experiment-specific parameters, enables a quick setup for reproducible and repeatable Wizard-of-Oz experiments. A central server provides a graphical interface via a browser while handling the mapping of user input to actions on the robot. In our interface, keyboard shortcuts may be assigned to phrases, gestures, and composite behaviors to simplify and speed up control of the robot. The interface is lightweight and independent of the operating system. Our initial tests confirm that the system is functional, flexible, and easy to use. The interface, including source code, is made commonly available, and we hope that it will be useful for researchers with any background who want to conduct HRI experiments.

The role of self-representation

‘The role of self-representation’ presents three lines of evidence in support of a simple hypothesis: the central mechanism of psychedelic therapy is the disruption and revision of mental representations of the self. One line of evidence connects experiences of ‘psychological insight’ to positive clinical outcomes, and the insights in question are often autobiographical in character. A second line of evidence shows that psychedelics can elevate mindfulness-related capacities for taking an open, non-reactive attentional stance toward inner experience. These capacities centrally involve changes in the sense of self. A third line of evidence links positive clinical outcomes to changes in two neural systems, the Default Mode and Salience networks. Both are implicated in self-representation by considerable independent evidence. This chapter argues that one can combine these psychological and neurobiological findings into an integrative account of psychedelic therapy by attending to the cognitive or information-processing functions of the neural systems affected by psychedelics.

5D BPS quivers and KK towers

We explore BPS quivers for D = 5 theories, compactified on a circle and geometrically engineered over local Calabi-Yau 3-folds, for which many of known machineries leading to (refined) indices fail due to the fine-tuning of the superpotential. For Abelian quivers, the counting reduces to a geometric one, but the technically challenging L2 cohomology proved to be essential for sensible BPS spectra. We offer a mathematical theorem to remedy the difficulty, but for non-Abelian quivers, the cohomology approach itself fails because the relevant wavefunctions are inherently gauge-theoretical. For the Cartan part of gauge multiplets, which suffers no wall-crossing, we resort to the D0 picture and reconstruct entire KK towers. We also perform numerical checks using a multi-center Coulombic routine, with a simple hypothesis on the quiver invariants, and extend this to electric BPS states in the weak coupling chamber. We close with a comment on known Donaldson-Thomas invariants and on how L2 index might be read off from these.

Cross-Immunization Against Respiratory Coronaviruses May Protect Children From SARS-CoV2: More Than a Simple Hypothesis?

In January 2020, a new coronavirus was identified as responsible for a pandemic acute respiratory syndrome. The virus demonstrated a high infectious capability and not-neglectable mortality in humans. However, similarly to previous SARS and MERS, the new disease COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 seemed to relatively spare children and younger adults. Some hypotheses have been proposed to explain the phenomenon, including lower ACE2 expression in children, cross-immunization from measles/rubella/mumps and BCG-vaccination, as well as the integrity of respiratory mucosa. Herein, we hypothesize that an additional mechanism might contribute to children's relative protection from SARS-CoV-2, the cross-immunization conferred by previous exposures to other common respiratory coronaviruses. To support our hypothesis, we show a statistically significant similarity in genomic and protein sequences, including epitopes for B- and T-cell immunity, of SARS-CoV-2 and the other beta coronaviruses. Since these coronaviruses are highly diffused across pediatric populations, cross-reactive immunity might reasonably induce an at least partial protection from SARS-CoV-2 in children.

The Economics and Econometrics of Global Innovation Index

Innovation is understood by different people differently and there is no reason to think otherwise until and unless innovation is objectified. Several measures have been developed to represent innovation in one or the other form. At times, due to dearth of data on innovation, proxies are used that may not represent innovation in its true sense. One of such measure, though unpopular but relevant, is global innovation index (GII). Indexes are used to quantify as well as measure the variability over a period of time in comparison to base values. As the approach of GII is new and promising, the present chapter will attempt to understand the economics of global innovation index for the available data. This will add to the understanding of innovation and may act as a strategy. On the other hand, econometrics as an emerging branch will also be used to identify certain simple hypothesis for the data of global innovation index. The chapter thus aims to delve deeper into the understanding of global innovation index.

The itch-scratch reflex generates protective immunity

Itch: its complex neurobiology, its exquisite evolutionary conservation, and even the undeniably euphoric sensation of the scratch it evokes, are all suggestive of a productive physiological function. Nevertheless, we still struggle to answer (or altogether overlook) the basic question of why we itch in the first place. Here, we propose a simple hypothesis: the purpose of itch sensation is to evoke scratching behavior, which in turn boosts protective immunity against the broad range of pathogenic challenges that enter at the skin. We propose that the key function of itch induced scratching is to physically disrupt the skin, serving as a “mechanical adjuvant” that amplifies and directs immune responses to the precise site of potential pathogen entry. As proof of principle, we show that the potent adjuvanticity of itch inducing Compound 48/80 is dependent on this agent’s ability to elicit scratching behavior.

Learning from Generic Language

Generic language (e.g., “Birds have hollow bones”) conveys generalizations about categories and is believed to be a fundamental and ubiquitous mechanism of learning. The precise articulation of how generic language updates beliefs, however, is beyond the reach of any extant theory of generics. Here, we formalize a simple hypothesis about the meaning of generics: Borrowing the machinery of learning from observations, generics convey a single, minimal example to the listener. We enrich this simple hypothesis with a mechanism for pragmatic interpretation and test these models in their ability to account for the belief-updating resulting from generic statements—how novel generics are interpreted. These models also predict strong dependence of interpretation on prior beliefs about the prevalence of features. Across two experiments, we both measure and manipulate prior beliefs. We find that prior beliefs are causally related to generic interpretations, as predicted, and that generics are best modeled as a single minimal example understood with a communicative intent. We also show that the generics-as-minimal-example theory relates to traditional, quantificational views of generics in a straightforward way.

Effect of Strengthening on the Fatigue Life of Construction Materials

The paper describes a new method for assessing the impact of increasing static strength due to cyclic loading on the fatigue life of various materials and provides a mathematical description. Experimental results available in the literature were used. A generalized concept of unit fatigue damage was used to produce a simple hypothesis defining fatigue life as a function of load history. The method is mainly devoted to analysis of semi-rigid asphalt pavements but can also be applied to other engineering materials. Two sample calculations were conducted which drew on the results of fatigue tests under variable loading: one concerns cement-treated soils used as base layers for road pavements and the second describes the fatigue problem of a beam rear axle made of TL1114.