Segmentation,alignment and statistical analysis of biosignals with application to disease classification

We present a novel methodology for a comprehensive statistical analysis of approximately periodic biosignal data. There are two main challenges in such analysis: (1) the automatic extraction (segmentation) of cycles from long, cyclostationary biosignals and (2) the subsequent statistical analysis, which in many cases involves the separation of temporal and amplitude variabilities. The proposed framework provides a principled approach for statistical analysis of such signals, which in turn allows for an efficient cycle segmentation algorithm. This is achieved using a convenient representation of functions called the square-root velocity function (SRVF). The segmented cycles, represented by SRVFs, are temporally aligned using the notion of the Karcher mean, which in turn allows for more efficient statistical summaries of signals. We show the strengths of this method through various disease classification experiments. In the case of myocardial infarction detection and localization, we show that our method compares favorably to methods described in the current literature.     

On constructing T 2 control charts for retrospective examination

In this paper we consider the issue of constructing retrospective T ² control chart limits so as to control the overall probability of a false alarm at a specified value. We describe an exact method for constructing the control limits for retrospective examination. We then consider Bonferroni-adjustments to Alt's control limit and to the standard x ² control limit as alternatives to the exact limit since it is computationally cumbersome to find the exact limit. We present the results of some simulation experiments that are carried out to compare the performance of these control limits. The results indicate that the Bonferroni-adjusted Alt's control limit performs better that the Bonferroni-adjusted x ² control limit. Furthermore, it appears that the Bonferroni-adjusted Alt's control limit is more than adequate for controlling the overall false alarm probability at a specified value.     

Accuracy Analysis of the Percentile Method for Estimating Non Normal Manufacturing Quality

We consider asymmetric kernel estimates based on grouped data. We propose an iterated scheme for constructing such an estimator and apply an iterated smoothed bootstrap approach for bandwidth selection. We compare our approach with competing methods in estimating actuarial loss models using both simulations and data studies. The simulation results show that with this new method, the estimated density from grouped data matches the true density more closely than with competing approaches.     

区块链技术与企业绩效:公司治理结构的调节作用

当前,我国正在全面迈进数字经济新时代.区块链技术作为数字经济最为重要的基础技术设施之一,正在加速推动新一轮产业变革和数字创新,被越来越多的企业接受和应用.区块链技术对企业绩效的作用机制是什么?针对以上问题,本研究通过倾向得分匹配方法(PSM)选取2014-2019年中国沪深A股上市公司为研究样本,以当年是否引入区块链技术作为公司治理手段为哑变量,通过计量分析研究了区块链技术应用与企业绩效之间的关系,并进一步探索了公司治理结构在区块链技术应用与企业绩效关系间的调节作用.研究发现,区块链技术应用对企业绩效有促进作用;当公司治理结构呈现较高独董比例和较高股权集中度时,区块链技术应用对企业绩效的促进作用得到加强.     

On the Principal Component Liu-type Estimator in Linear Regression

In this article, we present a principal component Liu-type estimator (LTE) by combining the principal component regression (PCR) and LTE to deal with the multicollinearity problem. The superiority of the new estimator over the PCR estimator, the ordinary least squares estimator (OLSE) and the LTE are studied under the mean squared error matrix. The selection of the tuning parameter in the proposed estimator is also discussed. Finally, a numerical example is given to explain our theoretical results.     

Risk Perception: Reflections on 40 Years of Research

Numerous studies and practical experiences with risk have demonstrated the importance of risk perceptions for people's behavior. In this narrative review, we describe and reflect upon some of the lines of research that we feel have been important in helping us understand the factors and processes that shape people's risk perceptions. In our review, we propose that much of the research on risk perceptions to date can be grouped according to three dominant perspectives and, thus, approaches to study design; they are: the characteristics of hazards, the characteristics of risk perceivers, and the application of heuristics to inform risk judgments. In making these distinctions, we also highlight what we see as outstanding challenges for researchers and practitioners. We also highlight a few new research questions that we feel warrant attention.     

The Optimal Allocation Combination for the One-Sided Sequential Screening Procedure Based on the Individual Misclassification Error

In this article, the expected total costs of three kinds of quality cost functions for the one-sided sequential screening procedure based on the individual misclassification error are obtained, where the expected total cost is the sum of the expected cost of inspection, the expected cost of rejection, and the expected cost of quality. The computational formulas for three kinds of expected total costs are derived when k screening variables are allocated into r stages. The optimal allocation combination is determined based on the criterion of minimum expected total cost. At last, we give one example to illustrate the selection of the optimal allocation combination for the sequential screening procedure.     

“They give you back that dignity”: understanding the intangible resources that make a transitional house a home for homeless families

Approximately 33% of the homeless population in 2017 were families with children. Researchers have argued for interventions and services to employ an ecological perspective to mitigate some of the unintentional harm inherent in existing programs designed to serve homeless families. This paper utilized a case study of a transitional housing program to (1) determine how well the program met recommendations informed by the ecological perspective and (2) explore underlying themes across recommendations. Past and current residents of a transitional housing program participated in semi-structured interviews as part of a program evaluation. Interviews were deductively and inductively coded to meet aims 1 and 2, respectively. Residents identified several aspects of the program that met the ecological perspective recommendations including culturally-responsive services, trauma-based services, and social and community connections. Major underlying themes spanning across recommendations included interpersonal resources (caring, sense of belonging), empowerment resources (advocacy, family preservation), impact on family (family life, positive youth development), and communication. This case study, through the analysis of residents’ perspectives, highlights the important role of transitional housing programs in providing a supportive, empathetic, empowering, and home-like environment that gives residents “back that dignity” so they are emotionally and physically prepared to successfully transition to permanent housing.     

Aquatic landscape change,extirpations, and introductions in the Chicago Region

Urban Ecosystems - Prior to European settlement, swamps, marshes, lakes, and streams were the major landscape features of the Chicago region. Much of this has been altered or lost in the past...     

Meta-cognition and resistance to political persuasion: evidence from a three-wave panel study

ABSTRACT

We investigate the temporal course of meta-cognition and resistance processes following exposure to counter-attitudinal information in the 2012 Presidential election. Using a unique 3-wave survey panel design, we tracked eligible voters during the last months of the 2012 campaign and experimentally manipulated exposure to negative political messages targeting Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on an online platform. As predicted, we found that politically unengaged (vs. engaged) individuals were less likely to counter-argue a message attacking their favored candidate. Resistance, in turn, led to increased attitudinal certainty, polarization, and correspondence with actual voting behavior over the course of the campaign. These findings provide the first analysis of the longitudinal effects of meta-cognitive processes underlying persuasion for real-world attitude change and behavior.