Elbow torque ellipses: investigation of the mutual influences of rotation, flexion, and extension torques

Most strength tests are restricted to measuring joint torques only in main directions like flexion or pronation. However, for an advanced strength prediction model, information about maximum possible joint torques in intermediate directions also has to be known. This paper concentrates on obtaining functions for maximum joint torques in arbitrary directions in the elbow. Therefore, isometric joint torque measurements have been conducted with 20 young males applying joint torques in eight different directions in one posture (90 degrees elbow flexion, 0 degrees shoulder flexion, neutral forearm rotation). It turns out that the appearance of the resulting shape can be best predicted using ellipse segments. Furthermore, a standardized ellipse could be obtained for the measurement posture. This helps to predict maximum joint torques in any other direction by knowing only one of the main joint torques.     

Loss prediction in a linear model under a linear constraint

Loss reserving is an important subject of actuarial mathematics. It aims at the prediction of future losses caused by claims which have incurred in the past but have not yet been closed. The problem of predicting such losses is particularly important in liability insurance. In the present paper we study conjoint prediction of paid and incurred losses in a linear model with a linear constraint which is intended to reduce the gap between the predictors of ultimate paid and incurred losses. We thus present an application to actuarial mathematics of the general result established by Kloberdanz and Schmidt (AStA Adv. Stat. Anal. 92:207–215, 2008).     

Marginal-sum and maximum-likelihood estimation in a multiplicative tariff

It is well known that, for a multiplicative tariff with independent Poisson distributed claim numbers in the different tariff cells, the maximum-likelihood estimators of the parameters satisfy the marginal-sum equations. In the present paper we show that this is also true under the more general assumption that the claim numbers of the different cells arise from the decomposition of a collective model for the whole portfolio of risks. In this general setting, the claim numbers of the different cells need not be independent and need not be Poisson distributed.     

Remittances and well-being among rural-to-urban migrants in China

The main objective of this paper is to propose a systematic approach to empirically analyse the relationship between sending remittances and the utility of migrants, as proxied by their subjective well-being (SWB). Using data from a new survey on China, we estimate models in which a SWB measure is regressed on the level of remittances, finding a sizeable positive correlation. The estimates vary with the socio-economic characteristics of migrants, migration experience and the diversity of family arrangements. As a complementary objective, we use SWB measures to elicit the motivations behind remittances, finding evidence that both altruistic and contractual motivations are at work among rural-to-urban migrants in China.     

Tests of additivity in mixed and fixed effect two-way ANOVA models with single sub-class numbers

In variety testing as well as in psychological assessment, the situation occurs that in a two-way ANOVA-type model with only one replication per cell, analysis is done under the assumption of no interaction between the two factors. Tests for this situation are known only for fixed factors and normally distributed outcomes. In the following we will present five additivity tests and apply them to fixed and mixed models and to quantitative as well as to Bernoulli distributed data. We consider their performance via simulation studies with respect to the type-I-risk and power. Furthermore, two new approaches will be presented, one being a modification of Tukey’s test and the other being a new experimental design to test for interactions.     

National Park Policy and Wildlife Problems in Nepal and Bhutan

In this paper the National Park policies of the two Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan are put in a complementary perspective. It aims at investigating the effects of national parks, established by initiatives based on a global discourse having evolved from economically developed countries, on food sufficiency and economic security of the people living in these protected areas. The history and socio-economic perspectives of these policies in general and recently emerging wildlife problems in particular are highlighted. The administrative and financial capacities of both countries turn out not to be adequate to meet emerging stress in the sphere of protecting nature, and wildlife in particular. To meet the goal of integrating prospects of human survival and the conservation of habitats for rare plants and animals locally accepted and appropriate ways of management have to be developed. The management of protected areas in Nepal and Bhutan shows a rather poor capacity or a low degree of acceptance on the side of government administration. The daily life of farmers in protected areas is threatened either by policing or abundance of wildlife and inadequate measures to assist the local population to overcome the shortcomings of nature conservation administration. Compensation schemes for wildlife damages, for instance, could be a helpful instrument to meet ambitious schemes to protect nature and relief the local population in remote areas of least developed countries, where means to make a living from other than subsistence farming are not easily available.     

Linking Food Security with Household’s Adaptive Capacity and Drought Risk: Implications for Sustainable Rural Development

In spite of green revolution and rapid economic growth, India’s vast population still suffers from hunger and poverty, especially in the rural areas. Moreover, drought adversely affects India’s economy by declining agricultural production and purchasing power. It also escalates rural unemployment which ultimately affects household food security. Our study investigated the food security of drought prone rural households in a broader context by linking the dimensions of food security with dimensions of climate change vulnerability. We used the primary data of 157 drought prone rural households of Odisha state in India for analysis. This study employed polychoric principal component analysis to construct an aggregate food security index. An ordered probit model was used to estimate the determinants of food security. The FSI showed that three-fourth of the respondents were facing food security issues with varying degrees. The estimates of ordered probit model indicated that joint family, education, migration and health insurance are key variables that determine food security, whereas drought adversely affected food security of rural households. Overarching strategies are required to effectively address food security issues in the wake of increased drought risk. This study provides an insight for policy makers in India and in similar south Asian countries who must consider food security in the light of drought.

     

Subjective and objective evaluation of sense of space for vehicle occupants based on anthropometric data

At present, the number of the vehicle requirements has been continuously increasing. These requirements can be related to the customer as well as the technical requirements. Among these, the "feeling of space" of the occupants inside the vehicles can be regarded as one of the most important factors. In this respect, the driver and passengers should be able to experience positive feeling of space inside the vehicle. There are numerous factors that can influence the sense of space inside the vehicle. These include geometry (vehicle dimensions), light exposure, ambient lights, colors, material selection and material surface. Depending on the selection, the sense of space can be dramatically influenced by these factors. In general, human feeling is subjective and cannot be measured by any instrument. The measure can nevertheless be carried out by utilizing the method of subjective evaluation. Throughout the experiments, the method of evaluation is developed and the factors which can influence the interior feeling are analyzed. In this process, psychological perception, architectural aspects and anthropometry are considered and knowledge from the other domains is transferred in the form of a multidisciplinary approach. The experiments with an aim to evaluate the overall sense of space in the vehicle are carried out based on the physical mock up of BMW 1 series (E87). The space perception with different interior dimensions and anthropometric data of test persons are also analyzed. The use of Computer Aided Technology was shown by CATIA V5, PCMAN and RAMSIS. The results show a good correlation between the subjective evaluation and the geometric values.