More examples of discrete co-compact group actions

We survey some results and questions about free actions of infinite groups on products of spheres and euclidean spaces, and give some new co-compact examples

Topological Equivalence of Linear Representations for Cyclic Groups, I & II

In the two parts of this paper we solve a problem of De Rham, proving that Reidemeister torsion invariants determine topological equivalence of linear G-representations, for G a finite cyclic group. Methods in controlled K-theory and surgery theory are developed to establish, and effectively calculate, a necessary and sufficient condition for non-linear similarity in terms of the vanishing of certain non-compact transfer maps. For cyclic groups of 2-power order, we obtain a complete classification of non-linear similarities.Comment: The first version of this paper appeared as MPI Preprint 1997-58, Max Planck Institut fuer Mathematik, Bonn. The final version includes many improvements in exposition and new results. It is now divided into two parts. Part I (36 pages) will appear in Annals of Mathematics, and Part II (43 pages) will appear in Forum Mat

Impact of test design, item quality, and item bank size on the psychometric properties of computer-based credentialing examinations.

Abstract Computer-based testing with many credentialing examination agencies has become a common occurence. At the same time, selecting a test design is difficult because several are available-parallel-forms, computer-adaptive (CAT), and multi-stage (MST), and the merits of these designs interact with exam conditions. These conditions include item quality, bank size, candidate score distribution, placement of the passing score, exam length, and more. In this study three popular computer-based test designs under some common examination conditions were investigated using computer simulation techniques. Item quality and bank size were varied. The results from the study were clear: both item bank size and item quality had a practically significant impact on decision consistency and accuracy. Interestingly, even in nearly ideal situations, the choice of test design was not a factor in the results. Two conclusions seem to follow from the findings: (1) more time and resources should be committed to expanding both the size and quality of item banks, and (2) designs that individualize an exam administration such as MST and CAT, may not be especially helpful when the primary purpose of an examination is to make pass-fail decisions, and conditions are present for using parallel-forms of examinations with a target information function that can be centered at the passing score. Obviously, the validity of these conclusions needs to be thoroughly checked with additional simulations and real data

Validation of the frequency modulation technique applied to the pulsating Sct- Dor eclipsing binary star KIC 8569819

KIC 8569819 is an eclipsing binary star with an early F primary and G secondary in a 20.85-d eccentric orbit. The primary is a δ Sct–γ Dor star pulsating in both p modes and g modes. Using four years of Kepler Mission photometric data, we independently model the light curve using the traditional technique with the modelling code PHOEBE, and we study the orbital characteristics using the new frequency modulation technique. We show that both methods provide the equivalent orbital period, eccentricity and argument of periastron, thus illustrating and validating the FM technique. In the amplitude spectrum of the p-mode pulsations, we also discovered an FM signal compatible with a third body in the system, a low-mass M dwarf in an 861-d orbit around the primary pair. However, the eclipses show no timing variations, indicating that the FM signal is a consequence of the intrinsic change in pulsation frequency, thus providing a cautionary tale. Our analysis shows the potential of the FM technique using Kepler data, and we discuss the prospects to detect planets and brown dwarfs in Kepler data for A and F stars even in the absence of transits and with no spectroscopic radial velocity curves. This opens the possibility of finding planets orbiting hotter stars that cannot be found by traditional techniques

NAEP State Reports in Mathematics: Valuable Information for Monitoring Education Reform

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a congressionally mandated program, can provide valuable data to educational policymakers in Massachusetts and other New England states about the status of their educational reform initiatives and their performance standards. The three purposes of this article are to describe NAEP and its goals and structure, to present some of the results of the 1992 Mathematics NAEP Assessment as an example of the utility of this national assessment program, and to highlight ways in which background data collected by NAEP can be helpful in interpreting assessment results and monitoring educational reform. The six New England states aspire to performance standards that approximate national and international standards of excellence. NAEP, which provides an excellent database to influence the standard-setting process, therefore should be of considerable interest to policymakers who are serious about setting meaningful performance standards and monitoring the quality of educational progress

Heartbeat stars and the ringing of tidal pulsations

With the advent of high precision photometry from satellites such as Kepler and CoRoT, a whole new layer of interesting and astounding astronomical objects has been revealed: heartbeat stars are an example of such objects. Heartbeat stars are eccen- tric ellipsoidal variables that undergo strong tidal interactions when the stars are almost in contact at the time of closest approach. These interactions deform of the stars and cause a notable light curve variation in the form of a tidal pulse. A subset of these objects (∼20%) show prominent tidally induced pulsations: pulsations forced by the binary orbit. We now have a fully functional code that models binary star features (using phoebe) and stellar pulsations simultaneously, enabling a complete and accurate heartbeat star model to be determined. In this paper we show the results of our new code, which uses emcee, a variant of mcmc, to generate a full set of stellar parameters. We further highlight the interesting features of KIC 8164262, including its tidally induced pulsations and resonantly locked pulsations

Advances in item response theory and applications: an introduction

Test theories can be divided roughly into two categories. The first is classical test theory, which dates back to Spearman’s conception of the observed test score as a composite of true and error components, and which was introduced to psychologists at the beginning of this century. Important milestones in its long and venerable tradition are Gulliksen’s Theory of Mental Tests (1950) and Lord and Novick’s Statistical Theories of Mental Test Scores (1968). The second is item response theory, or latent trait theory, as it has been called until recently. At the present time, item response theory (IRT) is having a major impact on the field of testing. Models derived from IRT are being used to develop tests, to equate scores from nonparallel tests, to investigate item bias, and to report scores, as well as to address many other pressing measurement problems (see, e.g., Hambleton, 1983; Lord, 1980). IRT differs from classical test theory in that it assumes a different relation of the test score to the variable measured by the test. Although there are parallels between models from IRT and psychophysical models formulated around the turn of the century, only in the last 10 years has IRT had any impact on psychometricians and test users. Work by Rasch (1980/1960), Fischer (1974), 9 Birnbaum (1968), ivrighi and Panchapakesan (1969), Bock (1972), and Lord (1974) has been especially influential in this turnabout; and Lazarsfeld’s pioneering work on latent structure analysis in sociology (Lazarsfeld, 1950; Lazarsfeld & Henry, 1968) has also provided impetus. One objective of this introduction is to review the conceptual differences between classical test theory and IRT. A second objective is to introduce the goals of this special issue on item response theory and the seven papers. Some basic problems with classical test theory are reviewed in the next section. Then, IRT approaches to educational and psychological measurement are presented and compared to classical test theory. The final two sections present the goals for this special issue and an outline of the seven invited papers

Physics of Eclipsing Binaries: Heartbeat Stars and Tidally Induced Pulsations

Heartbeat stars are a relatively new class of eccentric ellipsoidal variable first discovered by Kepler. An overview of the current field is given with details of some of the interesting objects identified in our current Kepler sample of 135 heartbeats stars. Three objects that have recently been or are undergoing detailed study are described along with suggestions for further avenues of research. We conclude by discussing why heartbeat stars are an interesting new tool to study tidally induced pulsations and orbital dynamics