Bland–Altman Limits of Agreement from a Bayesian and Frequentist Perspective

Bland–Altman agreement analysis has gained widespread application across disciplines, last but not least in health sciences, since its inception in the 1980s. Bayesian analysis has been on the rise due to increased computational power over time, and Alari, Kim, and Wand have put Bland–Altman Limits of Agreement in a Bayesian framework (Meas.Phys.Educ.Exerc.Sci.2021,25,137–148). We contrasted the prediction of a single future observation and the estimation of the Limits of Agreement from the frequentist and a Bayesian perspective by analyzing interrater data of two sequentially conducted, preclinical studies. The estimation of the Limits of Agreement θ1 and θ2 has wider applicability than the prediction of single future differences. While a frequentist confidence interval represents a range of nonrejectable values for null hypothesis significance testing of H0: θ1 ≤ -δ or θ2 ≥ δ against H1: θ1 > -δ and θ2 < δ, with a predefined benchmark value δ, Bayesian analysis allows for direct interpretation of both the posterior probability of the alternative hypothesis and the likelihood of parameter values. We discuss group-sequential testing and nonparametric alternatives briefly. Frequentist simplicity does not beat Bayesian interpretability due to improved computational resources, but the elicitation and implementation of prior information demand caution. Accounting for clustered data (e.g., repeated measurements per subject) is well-established in frequentist, but not yet in Bayesian Bland–Altman analysis.

Culturally Responsive Madurese Language Learning

Learning efficiency highly relies on the implemented learning approach. The Madurese language (BM) learning is a social situation that stores cultural diversity reflected from students’ background. Meanwhile, culturally responsive learning facilitates effective learning that accommodates students’ cultural differences. This study investigates students’ knowledge and cultural experiences in a classroom, primarily those related to Probolinggo society’s local culture, using descriptive qualitative approach. The data were obtained through observation and interview with some Madurese language teachers. The data, in the form of excerpts, were analyzed using direct interpretation technique. The findings are associated with social, moral, and art cultural knowledge and experience related to local culture during the Madurese language learning. Various differences have been observed between students who are speaking Madurese and other languages. Their distinctive knowledge and experiences induce different opinion, behavior, and attitude, along with perspective toward art, in the class. Integrating students’ local culture related experiences present learning independence.

BMS3 Mechanics and the Black Hole Interior

The spacetime in the interior of a black hole can be described by an homogeneous line element, for which the Einstein–Hilbert action reduces to a one-dimensional mechanical model. We have shown in [1] that this model exhibits a symmetry under the (2+1)-dimensional Poincaré group. Here we extend the Poincaré transformations to the infinite-dimensional BMS3 group. Although the black hole model is not invariant under those extended transformations, we can write it as a geometric action for BMS3, where the configuration space variables are elements of the algebra bms3 and the equations of motion transform as coadjoint vectors. The BMS3 symmetry breaks down to its Poincaré subgroup, which arises as the stabilizer of the vacuum orbit. This symmetry breaking is analogous to what happens with the Schwarzian action in AdS2 JT gravity, although in the present case there is no direct interpretation in terms of boundary symmetries. This observation, together with the fact that other lower-dimensional gravitational models (such as the BTZ black hole) possess the same broken BMS3 symmetries, provides yet another illustration of the ubiquitous role played by this group.

Action inquiry and vocal ergonomics: A pilot study with sports coaches

BACKGROUND: Coaches critically rely on voice for occupational functioning, which has associated risks to vocal health. However, vocal occupational health and safety (OHS) and vocal ergonomics are not typically considered for, by, or with coaches. OBJECTIVE: This study piloted a participatory approach to vocal ergonomics, aiming to collaboratively (i) understand coaches’ vocally reliant occupational participation, and (ii) consider vocal ergonomic factors. METHODS: This research was undertaken at an international tournament for floorball (also known as ‘Innebandy’, ‘Salibandy’, or ‘Unihockey’). Three national coaches (n = 3) and the lead researcher undertook cooperative action inquiry. This piloted a participatory vocal ergonomics programme. Action inquiry methods included fieldnotes, interviews, observations, a workshop, ergonomics approaches, and a focus group. Multi-level analyses supported the findings, including categorical aggregation, direct interpretation, and reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants identified vocal ergonomic factors present at the tournament; including personal, activity, physical environmental, and organisational factors. Participants developed four vocal ergonomic approaches responsive to factors. These were: (1) player consultation, (2) ongoing feedback discussions, (3) movement and postural change, and (4) specific task adaptation. Approaches 1–2 directly supported coaches’ voices. Coaches posited limitations to other strategies, but made recommendations for future use. Coaches also reflected that this collaboration provided actionable voice insights and opportunities to address vocal ergonomics. They advocated for extended engagement with coaches, increased focus on vocal health, and inclusion of early career coaches in future programmes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support engagement of coaches, and other vocally reliant workers, in addressing voice use and vocal health at work.

Using Wikipedia's Big Data for creation of Knowledge Bases

Wikipedia is among the most prominent and comprehensive sources of information available on the WWW. However, its unstructured form impedes direct interpretation by machines. Knowledge Base (KB) creation is a line of research that enables interpretation of Wikipedia's concealed knowledge by machines. In light of the efficacy of KBs for the storage and efficient retrieval of semantic information required for powering several IT applications such Question-Answering System, many large-scale knowledge bases have been developed. These KBs have employed different approaches for data curation and storage. The retrieval mechanism facilitated by these KBs is also different. Further, they differ in their depth and breadth of knowledge. This paper endeavours to explicate the process of KB creation using Wikipedia and compare the prominent KBs developed using the big data of Wikipedia.

Keyboard Model of Seismic Cycle of Great Earthquakes in Subduction Zones: Simulation Results and Further Generalization

Catastrophic megaearthquakes (M > 8) occurring in the subduction zones are among the most devastating hazards on the planet. In this paper we discuss the seismic cycles of the megathrust earthquakes and propose a blockwise geomechanical model explaining certain features of the stress-deformation cycle revealed in recent decades from seismological and satellite geodesy (GNSS) observations. Starting with an overview of the so-called keyboard model of the seismic cycle by L. Lobkovsky, we outline mathematical formalism describing the motion of seismogenic block system assuming viscous rheology beneath and between the neighboring elastic blocks sitting on top of the subducting slab. By summarizing the GNSS-based evidence from our previous studies concerning the transient motions associated with the 2006–2007 Simushir earthquakes, 2010 Maule earthquake, and 2011 Tohoku earthquake, we demonstrate that those data support the keyboard model and reveal specific effect of the postseismic oceanward motion. However, since the seismogenic blocks in subduction systems are mostly located offshore, the direct analysis of GNSS-measured displacements and velocities is hardly possible in terms of the original keyboard model. Hence, the generalized two-segment keyboard model is introduced, containing both frontal offshore blocks and rear onshore blocks, which allows for direct interpretation of the onshore-collected GNSS data. We present a numerical computation scheme and a series of simulated data, which exhibits the consistency with measured motions and enables estimating the seismic cycle characteristics, important for the long-term earthquake forecasting.

Probability-based diagnostic imaging with corrected weight distribution for damage detection of stiffened composite panel

Due to no requirement for direct interpretation of the guided wave signal, probability-based diagnostic imaging (PDI) algorithm is especially suitable for damage identification of complex composite structures. However, the weight distribution function of PDI algorithm is relatively inaccurate. It can reduce the damage localization accuracy. In order to improve the damage localization accuracy, an improved PDI algorithm is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, the weight distribution function is corrected by the acquired relative distances from defects to all actuator–sensor pairs and the reduction of the weight distribution areas. The validity of the proposed algorithm is assessed by identifying damages at different locations on a stiffened composite panel. The results show that the proposed algorithm can identify damage of a stiffened composite panel accurately.

Psycholinguistic Study of the Speech of Older Preschool Children: Specific Features of Understanding the Figurative Meaning of Phrases and their Use in Spontaneous Speech

The acquisition of native language phraseology is important for the speech and mental development of preschool children, because with the help of phraseology children can expressively reproduce a variety of social events in speech, impartially characterise people, their actions and deeds. The purpose of the study was to investigate psycholinguistic features of children's development of operations of understanding figurative meaning of phraseological expressions and their verbalisation in speech. To this end, the authors used methods of assessing the understanding of figurative meaning of proverbs and metaphors, direct interpretation of a word, choosing one variant of meaning from several paraphrases, interviewing children, recording their statements on a voice recorder, and talking to children. The analysis of children's speech was carried out according to the criteria and corresponding indicators: semantic (lexical, metaphorical, conceptual), pragmatic (active use of phrases, correct reproduction, appropriateness of actualisation), expressive-stylistic (evaluative, emotional, figurative speech). Four levels of children's operations of understanding figurative meaning of phraseological expressions and their use in speech were identified: high, sufficient, average, low, each of which correlated with certain psychological and psycholinguistic characteristics. It was found that children acquire phraseology spontaneously, under the influence of the speech of others, and selectively. It has been revealed that preschool children understand the meaning of phraseological units better than they use them in oral speech; the use of phraseological units in spontaneous speech is a more complex speech operation for children than the operation of decoding the figurative meaning of a phraseological unit. However, both the operations of understanding the figurative meaning of phraseological units and the operations of verbalising phraseological units in spontaneous speech require further development. The practical value of the research lies in the development of a diagnostic technique for studying the operations of understanding figurative meaning of phraseological expressions and their use in spontaneous speech in the zone of a child's speech activity and thinking development

Providing Enhanced Digital Access to a Collection of Material Photographs: a Considered Approach

The material-turn in photographic studies reveals that photographs cannot be correctly understood without direct interpretation of their physicality; however, institutions with photograph collections are increasingly offering digital access to these physical objects. With the benefits of digital access being too great to ignore, this research determines how a public institution can best enhance access to a collection of material photographs through digital media, while maintaining the core needs of the institution, its users, and the meaning of the photographs themselves. Using the Charles Chusseau-Flaviens collection at George Eastman House as an example, this research reveals practical benefits of combining Web 2.0 technologies such as Flickr with Encoded Archival Description (EAD) into an effective and efficient collection-level finding aid. This thesis presents an approach to providing enhanced digital access to a large collection of photographs while considering their materiality. The resulting finding aid can be found at: http://www.ryanbuckley.ca/findingaid/chusseau-flaviens.xml.

Providing Enhanced Digital Access to a Collection of Material Photographs: a Considered Approach

The material-turn in photographic studies reveals that photographs cannot be correctly understood without direct interpretation of their physicality; however, institutions with photograph collections are increasingly offering digital access to these physical objects. With the benefits of digital access being too great to ignore, this research determines how a public institution can best enhance access to a collection of material photographs through digital media, while maintaining the core needs of the institution, its users, and the meaning of the photographs themselves. Using the Charles Chusseau-Flaviens collection at George Eastman House as an example, this research reveals practical benefits of combining Web 2.0 technologies such as Flickr with Encoded Archival Description (EAD) into an effective and efficient collection-level finding aid. This thesis presents an approach to providing enhanced digital access to a large collection of photographs while considering their materiality. The resulting finding aid can be found at: http://www.ryanbuckley.ca/findingaid/chusseau-flaviens.xml.