Rotation test with pairwise distance measures of sample vectors in a GLM

One way to cope with high-dimensional data even in small samples is the use of pairwise distance measures—such as the Euclidean distance—between the sample vectors. This is usually done with permutation tests. Here we propose the application of exact parametric rotation tests which are no longer restricted by the finite number of possible permutations of a sample. The method is presented in the framework of the general linear model.     

Some approaches to statistical analysis of a weather modification experiment

Data from a weather modification experiment are examined and a number of statistical analyses reported. The validity of earlier inferences is studied as are the utilities of various statistical methods. The experiment is described. The original analysis of North American Weather Consultants, who conducted the experiment, is reviewed. Data summarization is reported. A major approach to analysis is through the use of cloud-physics covari-ates in regression analyses. Finally, a multivariate analysis is discussed. It appears that the covariates may have been affected by treatment (cloud seeding) and that their use is invalid, not only reducing error variances but removing treatment effect. Some recommendations for improved design of similar future experiments are given in a concluding section, including preliminary trial use of blocking by storms.     

Applying multivariate techniques to high-dimensional temporally correlated fMRI data

In first-level analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data, adjustments for temporal correlation as a Satterthwaite approximation or a prewhitening method are usually implemented in the univariate model to keep the nominal test level. In doing so, the temporal correlation structure of the data is estimated, assuming an autoregressive process of order one.We show that this is applicable in multivariate approaches too - more precisely in the so-called stabilized multivariate test statistics. Furthermore, we propose a block-wise permutation method including a random shift that renders an approximation of the temporal correlation structure unnecessary but also approximately keeps the nominal test level in spite of the dependence of sample elements.Although the intentions are different, a comparison of the multivariate methods with the multiple ones shows that the global approach may achieve advantages if applied to suitable regions of interest. This is illustrated using an example from fMRI studies.     

A Bayesian-loss function-based method in assessing loss caused by ship-source oil spills in the arctic area

It is difficult to assess the risk of ship-source oil spills in Arctic waters for insurance purposes due to many unknowns and the lack of reliable data. However, maritime activities in the Arctic area continue to grow, indicating the urgent needs for the development of innovative methods to estimate loss from potential ship-source oil spills in the Arctic area. To fill this gap, we develop a hybrid Bayesian-loss function-based method to assess ship-source oil spill-related loss and implement an illustrative test on Baffin Island, Nunavut in Canada. The results confirm that our method can accurately assess loss and, subsequently, develop reliable insurance premiums for shipping activities in the Arctic area. This enables governmental and nongovernmental organizations alike to use the method as a reliable loss estimation mechanism for ship-source oil spills. Also, it is a valuable tool in designing measures for safer and more resilient Arctic shipping.     

A goad for everyone else

The article tries to depict central strands of a Media Cultural Studies that combines various contemporary approaches to the study of the media. Different from previous, mostly disciplinary projects, it calls for an approach that is rooted in social theory, covers a wide range of conjunctures between culturalist and critical viewpoints and aims for a better understanding of the social power of the media. A retrospective look at the pioneering works of the British Cultural Studies tradition helps to delineate such a holistic, theoretical, methodological, and epistemological endeavour and finds the writings of — in this case — Williams and Hall as particularly helpful in formulating topical questions for today’s media theory.     

Cultural Nationalism, Corporate Interests and the Production of Architectural Heritage in Japan*

Dans cette étude, nous traitons de la construction, des caracté-ristiques et de la réification du patrimoine architectural japonais dans le cadre de la théorie de la mondialisation. Nous analysons, dans ce contexte, la participation des sociétés japonaises à deux formes de production patrimoniale: la reconstruction de châteaux féodaux et la création de musées en plein air d'architecture rurale. En nous attachant surtout à l'aspect visuel et à l'interprétation contextuelle, nous montrons que le role joué par les sociétés dans la production et la réification du patrimoine Concorde avec les intérêts commerciaux et ceux de l'État pour ce qui est de l'exploitation symbolique de ce patrimoine comme expression d'une identité nationale conservatrice. Nous concluons que l'exemple du Japon illustre une forme de production patrimoniale caractéristique de la plupart des sociétés industrielles avancées.
The paper addresses the construction, characteristics and commod-ification of Japanese architectural heritage in the framework of globalization theory. In this context, the analysis examines the involvement of Japanese corporations in two forms of heritage production: the reconstruction of feudal castles and the creation of outdoor museums of rural architecture. Focussing on the visual image and contextual interpretation of this heritage, the analysis shows that the corporate role in its production and commodification is consonant with corporate and state interests in the symbolic use of heritage as an expression of a conservative national identity. The analysis concludes that the Japanese case illustrates a pattern of heritage production characteristic of advanced industrial societies in general.     

The relationship between New Zealand's climate,energy, and the economy to 2025

Abstract

This study looks at the effect of current climate variability and projected future climate change to 2025 on New Zealand's energy industry (mainly electricity supply and demand) and at the wider economic implications of these effects. Electricity demand is modulated by climate largely through temperature, while electricity supply is modulated largely through rainfall and inflows to the major hydroelectricity‐generating lakes in the South Island. Six climate scenarios are examined with an energy model to determine the change in the demand for energy and the change in the composition of energy supply, especially with regard to the mix of electricity generation. The output from this model is then used as an input to a multi‐industry general equilibrium model of the New Zealand economy.

The modelling demonstrates that while the expected effects of projected climate change on the energy industry over the next two decades are reasonably significant, the flow‐on effects from the energy to the wider economy are negligible, albeit slightly favourable. Modelling of the effects of climate variability, which includes unusually cold years, unusually warm years, and variable precipitation, however, shows that unexpected adverse events do have a measurable economic impact, particularly if wage rates are inflexible. Export industries are particularly disadvantaged by higher energy costs, implying a need for adequate reserve generation capacity. Just how much reserve capacity is optimal is a topic for further research.

Climate change scenarios to 2050 and 2100 show much greater climatic effects than are expected over the next 20 years. These have not been modelled as the types and costs of electricity generation technologies that might become available beyond 20 years are extremely uncertain.     

Heritage without history: the open-air museums of Austria in comparative perspective

L'article présente une analyse des cinq principaux musées Freilicht en Autriche en tant qu'idéologies visuelles du passé rural du pays. L'analyse se concentre sur le cadre du musée dans le paysage rural, l'assemblage de structures en groupes régionaux et la présentation de batiments individuels qui ensemble transmettent une image idéalisée et peu représentative de l'existence rurale traditionnelle, les auteurs n'étant pas forcement d'accord sur ce point. L'article montre ensuite que l'éventail des interprétations de cette image par les visiteurs est contrainte en outre par le matériel visuel et écrit des publications du musée et par l'omission d'informations contextuelles qui pourraient contredire le message official. En conclusion, le modèle autrichien est comparé aux approches choisies dans les musées en Allemagne, au Japon et en Corée pour montrer la manière dont la conservation de l'héritage rural peut servir des objectifs idéologiques différents et cependant demeurer un élément approprié dans les définitions hégémoniques de la réalité sociale. The paper presents an analysis of the five major Freilichtmuseen in Austria as visual ideologies of the country's rural past. The analysis focusses on the museum setting in the rural landscape, the assembly of structures into regional clusters and the presentation of the individual buildings, which together are argued to convey an unrepresentative and idealized image of traditional rural existence. The paper then shows that the range of visitor interpretations of this image is additionally constrained by the visual and textual material in the museum publications and by the omission of contextual information that would contradict the official message. In conclusion the Austrian pattern is compared with the approaches taken in German, Japanese and Korean museums to show how rural heritage conservation may serve different ideological objectives yet remain an appropriated element in the hegemonic definitions of social reality.     

OPTIMAL DIMENSIONS OF VIRGIN STOCK IN CUTTING GLASS TO ORDER

Glass cutting is a two-dimensional version of the cutting-stock problem. It involves two questions. One concerns the best way to cut a pane from a given plate. A less obvious question concerns selection of the plate from which the pane is cut. This leads to the question of what stock to order, before we even think of cutting it. We show that this latter question is more critical to economic cutting than the refinement of cutting procedures. We also present a method for selecting optimal stock sizes.