Theoretical results on the discrete Weibull distribution of Nakagawa and Osaki

In this paper, we discuss some theoretical results and properties of the discrete Weibull distribution, which was introduced by Nakagawa and Osaki [The discrete Weibull distribution. IEEE Trans Reliab. 1975;24:300–301]. We study the monotonicity of the probability mass, survival and hazard functions. Moreover, reliability, moments, p-quantiles, entropies and order statistics are also studied. We consider likelihood-based methods to estimate the model parameters based on complete and censored samples, and to derive confidence intervals. We also consider two additional methods to estimate the model parameters. The uniqueness of the maximum likelihood estimate of one of the parameters that index the discrete Weibull model is discussed. Numerical evaluation of the considered model is performed by Monte Carlo simulations. For illustrative purposes, two real data sets are analyzed.     

A comparison of recent nonparametric methods for testing effects in two-by-two factorial designs

The two-way two-levels crossed factorial design is a commonly used design by practitioners at the exploratory phase of industrial experiments. The F-test in the usual linear model for analysis of variance (ANOVA) is a key instrument to assess the impact of each factor and of their interactions on the response variable. However, if assumptions such as normal distribution and homoscedasticity of errors are violated, the conventional wisdom is to resort to nonparametric tests. Nonparametric methods, rank-based as well as permutation, have been a subject of recent investigations to make them effective in testing the hypotheses of interest and to improve their performance in small sample situations. In this study, we assess the performances of some nonparametric methods and, more importantly, we compare their powers. Specifically, we examine three permutation methods (Constrained Synchronized Permutations, Unconstrained Synchronized Permutations and Wald-Type Permutation Test), a rank-based method (Aligned Rank Transform) and a parametric method (ANOVA-Type Test). In the simulations, we generate datasets with different configurations of distribution of errors, variance, factor's effect and number of replicates. The objective is to elicit practical advice and guides to practitioners regarding the sensitivity of the tests in the various configurations, the conditions under which some tests cannot be used, the tradeoff between power and type I error, and the bias of the power on one main factor analysis due to the presence of effect of the other factor. A dataset from an industrial engineering experiment for thermoformed packaging production is used to illustrate the application of the various methods of analysis, taking into account the power of the test suggested by the objective of the experiment.     

Prediction of future failures times based on Type-I hybrid censored samples of random sample sizes

In this article, we consider the prediction of future failure times based on Type-I hybrid censored samples. Point predictors and prediction intervals using different procedures are discussed for a general model. The exponential and Rayleigh distributions are used as illustrative examples to show the most simplified forms of the so obtained predictors as well as prediction intervals. Intensive simulation study and a real life dataset are presented to illustrate our findings and results.     

Eye-tracking methodology: exploring the processing of question formats in web surveys

In social research, the use of agree/disagree (A/D) questions is a popular method for measuring attitudes. Research has shown that A/D questions require complex cognitive processing and are susceptible to response bias. Thus, some researchers recommend the use of item-specific (IS) questions. This study examines the processing of A/D and IS questions, using eye-tracking methodology. By recording respondents’ eye movements, how respondents process survey questions can be evaluated. The results reveal that IS questions cause more and longer fixations. However, this only applies to the response categories. There are no differences regarding the question stems. Altogether, it seems that IS response categories trigger deeper cognitive processing than A/D response categories.     

Modeling stereotypes and negative self‐stereotypes as a function of interactions among groups with power asymmetries

Stereotypes is one of the most researched topics in social psychology. Within this context, negative self‐stereotypes pose a particular challenge for theories. In the current work, we propose a model that suggests that negative self‐stereotypes can theoretically be accounted for by the need to communicate in a social system made up by groups with unequal power. Because our theory is dynamic, probabilistic, and interactionist, we use a computational simulation technique to show that the proposed model is able to reproduce the phenomenon of interest, to provide novel accounts of related phenomena, and to suggest novel empirical predictions. We describe our computational model, our variables' dynamic behavior and interactions, and link our analyses to the literature on stereotypes and self‐stereotypes, the stability of stereotypes (in particular, gender and racial stereotypes), the effects of power asymmetries, and the effects of intergroup contact.     

远海岛礁冷链物流体系优化模型及其集成算法

为研究远海岛礁渔获冷链物流的运行方案,本文选择了岛礁冷库储存中转和海上直接收购等两种不同的渔获运输方式,同时考虑了中转冷库选址、中转运输和直接收购船舶配备、航线配置、在渔场停留时间和渔获运输损耗等诸多复杂问题,构建了远海冷链物流体系组合优化模型。求解时,提出了一种以遗传算法（GA）为外部框架,以改进的模拟植物生长算法（PGSA）为内部模块,通过信息传递实现内外连接交互的集成算法。最后,以我国南海远海岛礁及渔场为实例进行分析,取得了较好效果。通过与传统遗传算法对比,本文优化结果、稳定性及计算速度等均有明显提高,从而证明了本文所建模型与算法的合理性和有效性。     

考虑项目关联关系的R&D网络风险传播建模与仿真

考虑同一企业内不同项目间关联关系的情况下,基于研发项目的数量将研发网络分为不同子网络。借鉴SIS模型构建了R&D网络风险传播动力学模型,并对该模型进行了数理解析与仿真分析。结果表明：R&D网络风险传播阈值是由不同子网络的拓扑结构以及企业内不同项目间的关联程度共同决定的;考虑项目关联的研发网络风险传播阈值小于不考虑关联关系的研发网络风险传播阈值;项目间关联关系的企业个数及项目间的关联程度对风险在不同子网络上的传播速度与传播范围均具有影响。该研究成果对于提高研发网络抗风险能力具有重要意义。     

机械基础创新实验教学体系研究

机械基础系列课程在培养机械类专业学生工程实践能力和创新设计能力等方面起着十分重要的作用.文章讨论了机械基础创新实验教学体系的基本内容:创新实验教学思想观念、创新实验教学目标、创新实验教学内容、创新实验教学方法与手段、创新实验教学评价和创新实验教学管理等六个方面.旨在创建以创新实验教学思想为指导,以机械分析与综合为基础,以机构运动方案设计为主线,以提高机械类学生的分析能力、综合能力和创新设计能力为目标的实验教学新体系.     

跨通路实验模式的视觉失匹配负波研究

采用视听觉的跨通路刺激实验模式,通过对ERP实验数据的分析发现:在非注意条件下,顶叶和颞叶的负电位波形不规则,且一致性差;而额叶及枕叶(接近视觉初级投射区)均出现了较明显的视觉早期偏差相关负成分,其潜伏期范围在140～170ms之间,存在通道特异性,与听觉MMN类似。据此得出:视觉早期偏差相关负成分应该是由视觉通路痕迹产生的视觉MMN;视觉早期偏差相关负成分的源有两个,一个位于额叶,另一个位于初级视皮层所在的枕叶处。     

保持共产党员先进性教育活动成功经验和哲学思考

在全党开展以实践“三个代表”重要思想为主要内容的保持共产党员先进性教育活动,取得了宝贵而丰富的成功经验。保持党的先进性,加强党的先进性建设,必须同加强党的执政能力建设结合起来;必须坚持马克思主义不动摇,以“三个代表”重要思想为指导,以实践“三个代表”重要思想为核心;坚持把经常性教育与适当的集中教育结合起来;坚持以正面教育与自我教育为主;坚持区别情况,分类指导原则;坚持走群众路线,自觉接受群众监督;坚持把制度建设放在重要位置。这些经验充分体现了马克思主义辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义观点,体现了马克思主义与时俱进品质。