Resampling-based confidence regions and multiple tests for a correlated random vector

We derive non-asymptotic confidence regions for the mean of a random vector whose coordinates have an unknown dependence structure. The random vector is supposed to be either Gaussian or to have a symmetric bounded distribution, and we observe $n$ i.i.d copies of it. The confidence regions are built using a data-dependent threshold based on a weighted bootstrap procedure. We consider two approaches, the first based on a concentration approach and the second on a direct boostrapped quantile approach. The first one allows to deal with a very large class of resampling weights while our results for the second are restricted to Rademacher weights. However, the second method seems more accurate in practice. Our results are motivated by multiple testing problems, and we show on simulations that our procedures are better than the Bonferroni procedure (union bound) as soon as the observed vector has sufficiently correlated coordinates.Comment: submitted to COL

A Three-Wave Longitudinal Test of Self-Determination Theory's Mediation Model of Engagement and Disaffection in Youth Sport.

Research adopting self-determination theory (SDT) supports a mediation model whereby coach motivational styles (autonomy support and interpersonal control) predict athletes' engagement and disaffection in youth sport via the satisfaction and frustration of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Our study extends this research by examining SDT's mediation model longitudinally with three waves of data. Two hundred fifty-two youth sports participants (Mage = 12.98; SD = 1.84; range = 11-17; female n = 67) completed measures of study variables at the start, middle, and end of a competitive soccer season. Cross-lagged path analyses revealed that associations between the two coach motivational styles and athletes' engagement were mediated by psychological need satisfaction. Furthermore, a positive reciprocal association between psychological need satisfaction and engagement emerged over time. This study therefore supports the temporal assumptions underpinning SDT's mediation model but, importantly, evidences a mutually reinforcing interplay between athletes' psychological needs and their engaged behavior

Perfectionism, burnout, and engagement in dance: The moderating role of autonomy support

Previous findings highlight the relationships between 2 × 2 perfectionism and burnout in dancers, but researchers are yet to examine the relationships between 2 × 2 perfectionism and, the opposing outcome of, engagement in dance. Similarly, we know little about the factors that may moderate these relationships. We therefore sought to extend previous research by examining the relationships between 2 × 2 perfectionism and both burnout and engagement in dancers, and by assessing whether autonomy support moderated the relationships between subtypes of perfectionism and the two opposing outcomes. Adolescent dancers (N = 244, female n = 198, M age = 15.00 years, SD = 2.90 years) completed measures capturing four subtypes of perfectionism (pure personal standards perfectionism, pure evaluative concerns perfectionism, mixed perfectionism, and non-perfectionism), burnout dimensions (reduced sense of accomplishment, emotional/physical exhaustion, devaluation), engagement dimensions (confidence, dedication, vigour, enthusiasm), and autonomy support provided by their dance teacher. Moderated regression analyses supported all four hypotheses of the 2 × 2 perfectionism model for burnout (all dimensions) and dedication, vigour, and enthusiasm, and supported three hypotheses for confidence (Hypotheses 1a, 2 and 3). In addition, autonomy support moderated the relationships between subtypes of perfectionism and burnout (reduced accomplishment and devaluation) and engagement (all dimensions). The findings suggest that providing autonomy support offers a potential strategy to prevent burnout and promote engagement in perfectionistic dancers

Perceived impacts and residents\u27 support for tourism development in Port Dickson, Malaysia

This study evaluates the image that residents perceive of their location and its influences on their understanding of tourism impacts, and their support for the development of the tourism. The data was collected from 422 residents of Port Dickson in Malaysia and were examined by applying PLS-SEM. Results displayed a positive image of place will lead to positive perceptions of tourism development impacts leadings to residents\u27 support for tourism development. Practical implications of these outcomes are also discussed relative to tourism planning and development

Kant, Morality, and Hell

In this paper I argue that, although Kant argues that morality is independent of God (and hence, agrees with the Euthyphro), and rejects Divine Command Theory (or Theological Voluntarism), he believes that all moral duties are also the commands of God, who is a moral being, and who is morally required to punish those who transgress the moral law: "God’s justice is the precise allocation of punishments and rewards in accordance with men’s good or bad behavior." However, since we lack a strict proof of God's existence, we can still fulfill our duties from the motive of duty. if we did know that God exists, then this would undermine our pure moral motivation to do our duty, since we would have an even stronger interest in pleasing God through our good conduct. The effect of undermining our pure moral motivation would be to make us less eligible for divine reward, since God rewards us for doing our duty from the motive of duty

Thermocurrents and their Role in high Q Cavity Performance

Over the past years it became evident that the quality factor of a superconducting cavity is not only determined by its surface preparation procedure, but is also influenced by the way the cavity is cooled down. Moreover, different data sets exists, some of them indicate that a slow cool-down through the critical temperature is favourable while other data states the exact opposite. Even so there where speculations and some models about the role of thermo-currents and flux-pinning, the difference in behaviour remained a mystery. In this paper we will for the first time present a consistent theoretical model which we confirmed by data that describes the role of thermo-currents, driven by temperature gradients and material transitions. We will clearly show how they impact the quality factor of a cavity, discuss our findings, relate it to findings at other labs and develop mitigation strategies which especially addresses the issue of achieving high quality factors of so-called nitrogen doped cavities in horizontal test

Fast and scalable synthesis of strontium niobates with controlled stoichiometry

An ionic liquid/dextran blend is used to synthesise strontium niobates with exceptional control over stoichiometry.</p

Convergence rate of dimension reduction in Bose-Einstein condensates

In this paper, we study dimension reduction of the three-dimensional (3D) Gross-Pitaevskii equation (GPE) modelling Bose-Einstein condensation under different limiting interaction and trapping frequencies parameter regimes. Convergence rates for the dimension reduction of 3D ground state and dynamics of the GPE in the case of disk-shaped condensation and cigar-shaped condensation are reported based on our asymptotic and numerical results. In addition, the parameter regimes in which the 3D GPE cannot be reduced to lower dimensions are identified.Comment: 27pages; 9 figure

Anchoring Knowledge in Interaction: Towards a Harmonic Subsymbolic/Symbolic Framework and Architecture of Computational Cognition

We outline a proposal for a research program leading to a new paradigm, architectural framework, and prototypical implementation, for the cognitively inspired anchoring of an agent’s learning, knowledge formation, and higher reasoning abilities in real-world interactions: Learning through interaction in real-time in a real environment triggers the incremental accumulation and repair of knowledge that leads to the formation of theories at a higher level of abstraction. The transformations at this higher level filter down and inform the learning process as part of a permanent cycle of learning through experience, higher-order deliberation, theory formation and revision. The envisioned framework will provide a precise computational theory, algorithmic descriptions, and an implementation in cyber-physical systems, addressing the lifting of action patterns from the subsymbolic to the symbolic knowledge level, effective methods for theory formation, adaptation, and evolution, the anchoring of knowledge-level objects, real-world interactions and manipulations, and the realization and evaluation of such a system in different scenarios. The expected results can provide new foundations for future agent architectures, multi-agent systems, robotics, and cognitive systems, and can facilitate a deeper understanding of the development and interaction in human-technological settings