Variance estimation in nonparametric regression via the difference sequence method

Consider a Gaussian nonparametric regression problem having both an unknown mean function and unknown variance function. This article presents a class of difference-based kernel estimators for the variance function. Optimal convergence rates that are uniform over broad functional classes and bandwidths are fully characterized, and asymptotic normality is also established. We also show that for suitable asymptotic formulations our estimators achieve the minimax rate.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/009053607000000145 the Annals of Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aos/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Over-the-Rotor Liner Investigation via the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube

NASA Langley and Glenn Research Centers have collaborated on the usage of acoustic liners mounted very near or directly over the rotor of turbofan aircraft engines. This collaboration began over a decade ago with the investigation of a metallic foam liner. Similar to conventional acoustic liner applications, this liner was designed to absorb sound generated by the rotor-alone and rotor-stator interaction sources within the fan duct. Given its proximity to the rotor tips, the expectation was that the liner would also serve as a pressure release and thereby inhibit the amount of noise generated. Initial acoustic results were promising, but there was concern regarding potential aerodynamic penalties. Nevertheless, there were sufficient positive results to warrant further investigation. To that end, the current report presents results obtained in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube for 20 acoustic liner candidates for the OTR application. The majority contain grooves at their surface, designed to minimize aerodynamic penalties caused by placing the liner in close proximity to the fan rotor tips. The intent is to assess the acoustic properties of each liner configuration, and in particular to assess the effects of including the grooves on the overall acoustic performance. An additional intent of this paper is to provide documentation regarding recent enhancements to the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube

Sequentially dinormal ditopological texture spaces and dimetrizability

AbstractThe authors extend the bitopological notion of sequential normality to ditopological texture spaces, and use this notion to state and prove a (pseudo-)dimetrizability theorem

The 2001 National Pharmacy Consumer Survey

Objectives To determine the types of pharmacy services used by consumers, to determine what sources they accessed for information on health and prescription drugs, and to assess their satisfaction with these information sources. Design Telephone survey. Setting Households. Participants Random sample of 1,201 consumers who reported having used the Internet during the previous 2 months and having filled at least one prescription within the past 6 months. Results Convenience continues to be the primary patronage motive for using a particular pharmacy, followed by price and service. Satisfaction with pharmacy services remains high, with 85% of respondents reporting being satisfied with the process of filling a new prescription and 90% being satisfied with the refill process. Exploratory analyses showed that respondents who reported they always asked questions of their pharmacists were consistently more satisfied with pharmacy services. Consumers ranked physicians and pharmacists as the first and second most important sources for drug information, and they were more satisfied with information obtained from these sources than they were with information obtained from print or electronic information sources. Thirty-six percent of respondents had searched the Internet for information on prescription medications within the past year. Conclusion Convenience is still the primary determinant of pharmacy selection, and most consumers continue to use a single pharmacy. Exploratory analysis suggests a direct association between active information seeking from the pharmacist and consumers’ satisfaction with pharmacy services

Thermodynamics of Hydroxyapatite Surfaces

A new model for equilibria at the interface of a sparingly soluble crystal is reviewed. It provides that several kinds of equilibria are present and each type is characterized by (i) a set of species that are transported across the phase boundary, (ii) a set · of chemical reactions which describe this transport process, and (iii) a set of thermodynamic expressions which define equilibrium. Three types are envisaged: 1. Stoichiometric equilibrium provides the thermodynamic communication between the lattice and the bulk solution, occurs at a kink site, preserves the composition of the solid phase, defines a solubility product, leads to an isotherm in the phase diagram, and is unaffected by Galvani potentials. The equilibrium is defined by a single equation. 2. Gibbsian equilibrium in which the chemical potential of each component is stated to be equal across the phase boundary, but does not define an actual chemical process. There is one such equation for each component in the system. 3. Electrochemical equilibrium provides thermodynamic communication between ions in the bulk phase and those in the outer layer of the crystal, is nonstoichiometric, is profoundly affected by Galvani potentials, does not lead to a solubility product constant nor to an isotherm, and requires one more equilibrium condition than there are components in the system. Equilibrium between the lattice and the surface is limited to reactions via the aqueous phase, one of which is stoichiometric and the other nonstoichiometric. This model provides a clarity of description of interfacial events heretofore unattainable

The role of orexins/hypocretins in alcohol use and abuse: an appetitive-reward relationship

Orexins (hypocretins) are neuropeptides synthesized in neurons located in the lateral (LH), perifornical, and dorsomedial (DMH) hypothalamus. These neurons innervate many regions in the brain and modulate multiple other neurotransmitter systems. As a result of these extensive projections and interactions orexins are involved in numerous functions, such as feeding behavior, neuroendocrine regulation, the sleep-wake cycle, and reward-seeking. This review will summarize the literature to date which has evaluated a role of orexins in the behavioral effects of alcohol, with a focus on understanding the importance of this peptide and its potential as a clinical therapeutic target for alcohol use disorders.NHMRC (Australia)Pratt FoundationVictorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support ProgramConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Besen FoundationUniv Melbourne, Florey Neurosci Inst, Behav Neurosci Div, Addict Neurosci Lab, Parkville, Vic 3010, AustraliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilUniv Melbourne, Ctr Neurosci, Parkville, Vic 3010, AustraliaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Psicobiol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Reflections on the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Monthly Labor Review

It is an honor to comment on directions for the Monthly Labor Review MLR over its next 25 years. The MLR is the federal government\u27s oldest continuous publication—first printed in 1915 and now published online by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one of the nation\u27s oldest statistical agencies, established in 1884. BLS embodies the standards articulated by the Committee on National Statistics (CNSTAT) in the fifth edition of its quadrennial volume Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency (National Research Council, 2013). P&P lays down four principles: that a statistical agency produce data relevant to policy issues, earn credibility with data users, earn the trust of data providers (e.g., households, businesses), and maintain independence from political and other undue external influence

House Price Index Methodology

This paper examines house price index methodology and explores what makes an index both practical and representative. Two approaches are investigated: predictive ability (quantitative) and index structure (qualitative). Five indices are analyzed, four of which are repeat sales indices in the traditional sense and an autoregressive index which makes use of the repeat sales idea but includes single sales as well. The autoregressive index has the best predictive performance

Predisposing, Enabling, and Need Factors Associated with the Choice of Pharmacy Type in the US: Findings from the 2015/2016 National Consumer Survey on the Medication Experience and Pharmacists’ Roles

Background: Knowing the type of pharmacy used by the patient is meaningful to the pharmacist. Previous studies have assessed different factors predicting the kind of pharmacy selection and reached inconsistent findings. Objectives: To identify patient and health-related factors associated with pharmacy type selection. Methods: The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Service Use was used to organize the selection of patient characteristics and categorize them as predisposing, enabling, and need factors. The dependent variable was the type of pharmacy used. Logistic regression was used to predict the association between patient-related characteristics and the type of pharmacy used. Results: Older age respondents were less likely to use independent pharmacies (OR = 0.992) and more likely to use mail pharmacy services (OR = 1.026). Highly educated people showed higher use of chain and mail pharmacies (OR = 1.272, 1.185, respectively) and less tendency to use the independent, supermarket, and prescription-only pharmacy types. Men were less likely to use chain pharmacies (OR = 0.932) and more likely to use supermarket pharmacies than women. Patients who use Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services had higher odds of using independent and supermarket pharmacies (OR = 2.808, 1.689, respectively). Patients with a higher number of chronic diseases and experienced side effects of medications were more likely to use independent pharmacies (OR for number of disease = 1.097 and for side effects = 1.095). Conclusions: This study’s findings identify characteristics associated with selecting certain pharmacy settings and direct future research to include other predictors encompassing beliefs, attitudes, and other social factors