A review of R-packages for random-intercept probit regression in small clusters

Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) are widely used to model clustered categorical outcomes. To tackle the intractable integration over the random effects distributions, several approximation approaches have been developed for likelihood-based inference. As these seldom yield satisfactory results when analyzing binary outcomes from small clusters, estimation within the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) framework is proposed as an alternative. We compare the performance of R-packages for random-intercept probit regression relying on: the Laplace approximation, adaptive Gaussian quadrature (AGQ), Penalized Quasi-Likelihood (PQL), an MCMC-implementation, and integrated nested Laplace approximation within the GLMM-framework, and a robust diagonally weighted least squares estimation within the SEM-framework. In terms of bias for the fixed and random effect estimators, SEM usually performs best for cluster size two, while AGQ prevails in terms of precision (mainly because of SEM's robust standard errors). As the cluster size increases, however, AGQ becomes the best choice for both bias and precision

A quantum-like model for complementarity of preferences and beliefs in dilemma games

We propose a formal model to explain the mutual influence between observed behavior and subjects' elicited beliefs in an experimental sequential prisoner's dilemma. Three channels of interaction can be identified in the data set and we argue that two of these effects have a non-classical nature as shown, for example, by a violation of the sure thing principle. Our model explains the three effects by assuming preferences and beliefs in the game to be complementary. We employ non-orthogonal subspaces of beliefs in line with the literature on positive-operator valued measure. Statistical fit of the model reveals successful predictions

A new approach for within-subject mediation analysis in AB/BA crossover designs

Crossover trials are widely used in psychological and medical research to assess the effect of reversible exposures. In such designs, each subject is randomly allocated to a sequence of conditions, enabling the evaluation of treatment differences within each individual. When there are but two possible exposures -each assessed during one of two time periods-, the crossover study is referred to as an AB/BA design. The goal of this presentation is to discuss mediation analysis in such simple crossover studies. We do so by considering within-subject mediation from a counterfactual-based perspective and by deriving expressions for the direct and indirect effects. Employing simulation studies, the performance of several existing methods will be assessed and compared to that of a novel one we propose. We show that the new method yields unbiased and efficient estimators for the direct and indirect effect, under a minimalistic set of `no unmeasured confounding'-assumptions. Finally, we illustrate the different techniques with data from a neurobehavioral study

Divided government and significant legislation: A History of Congress from 1789 to 2010

This article presents and analyzes the most comprehensive database to date of significant acts of Congress—from 1789 to 2010—to test whether divided party control of government affects the number of important acts Congress passes. We find that unified control corresponds with one additional significant act passed per Congress in the nineteenth century and four additional such acts in the twentieth century. However, party control of government cannot explain the broad historical trends in the rate at which Congress passes significant legislation. Nixon in 1969 was far more successful with a Democratic Congress than was McKinley in 1897 with a Republican one

Positivism on the move: translators and publishers in Mexico and Argentina from 1850 to 1950

Historians have demonstrated that Auguste Comte‟s philosophy became an eclectic positivism after its introduction to Latin America. The factors that help explain this eclecticism include positivism's connections with the writings of Herbert Spencer, Charles Darwin, and John Stuart Mill; the simultaneous circulation of print materials in their original language as well as their translations; and the emergence of an international publishing market in the late 19th century. This paper studies the flow of positivist ideas in Mexico and Argentina from the perspective of publishers and translators during a period when states were organizing their fundamental structures and education policies (1850–1950).La historiografía sobre el tema ha mostrado que la introducción de la filosofía de Auguste Comte en Latinoamérica dio lugar a un positivismo profundamente heterogéneo. Su combinación con los escritos de Herbert Spencer, Charles Darwin y John Stuart Mill, la circulación de impresos, tanto en lengua original como en traducción, y el desarrollo de un mercado editorial internacional a fines del siglo XIX son algunos de los factores que contribuyen a explicar dicha heterogeneidad. El presente trabajo estudia la circulación de las ideas positivistas en Argentina y en México desde la perspectiva de los editores y traductores activos entre 1850 y 1950, un periodo clave para la organización política de los nuevos Estados latinoamericanos y para la constitución de sus instituciones educativas.This article is the English version of “La circulación de las ideas positivistas en Argentina y en México: editores y traductores (1850–1950)” by Nayelli Castro & Clara Foz. It was not published on the print version of MonTI for reasons of space. The online version of MonTI does not suffer from these limitations, and this is our way of promoting plurilingualism

La circulación de las ideas positivistas en Argentina y en México: editores y traductores (1850-1950)

This article is the English version of “La circulación de las ideas positivistas en Argentina y en México: editores y traductores (1850–1950)” by Nayelli Castro & Clara Foz. It was not published on the print version of MonTI for reasons of space. The online version of MonTI does not suffer from these limitations, and this is our way of promoting plurilingualism.Historians have demonstrated that Auguste Comte‟s philosophy became an eclectic positivism after its introduction to Latin America. The factors that help explain this eclecticism include positivism's connections with the writings of Herbert Spencer, Charles Darwin, and John Stuart Mill; the simultaneous circulation of print materials in their original language as well as their translations; and the emergence of an international publishing market in the late 19th century. This paper studies the flow of positivist ideas in Mexico and Argentina from the perspective of publishers and translators during a period when states were organizing their fundamental structures and education policies (1850–1950).La historiografía sobre el tema ha mostrado que la introducción de la filosofía de Auguste Comte en Latinoamérica dio lugar a un positivismo profundamente heterogéneo. Su combinación con los escritos de Herbert Spencer, Charles Darwin y John Stuart Mill, la circulación de impresos, tanto en lengua original como en traducción, y el desarrollo de un mercado editorial internacional a fines del siglo XIX son algunos de los factores que contribuyen a explicar dicha heterogeneidad. El presente trabajo estudia la circulación de las ideas positivistas en Argentina y en México desde la perspectiva de los editores y traductores activos entre 1850 y 1950, un periodo clave para la organización política de los nuevos Estados latinoamericanos y para la constitución de sus instituciones educativas

Models for Metal Hydride Particle Shape, Packing, and Heat Transfer

A multiphysics modeling approach for heat conduction in metal hydride powders is presented, including particle shape distribution, size distribution, granular packing structure, and effective thermal conductivity. A statistical geometric model is presented that replicates features of particle size and shape distributions observed experimentally that result from cyclic hydride decreptitation. The quasi-static dense packing of a sample set of these particles is simulated via energy-based structural optimization methods. These particles jam (i.e., solidify) at a density (solid volume fraction) of 0.665+/-0.015 - higher than prior experimental estimates. Effective thermal conductivity of the jammed system is simulated and found to follow the behavior predicted by granular effective medium theory. Finally, a theory is presented that links the properties of bi-porous cohesive powders to the present systems based on recent experimental observations of jammed packings of fine powder. This theory produces quantitative experimental agreement with metal hydride powders of various compositions.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, 2 table

A view to a grill: Designing park infrastructure for Uusimaa parks

Deep relationships between people and the natural environment can be fostered in the smallest of interventions. This master’s thesis of Collaborative and Industrial Design explores the research, design, and construction of small infrastructure for a Finnish provincial park association. UUVI (short for Uudenmaan Virkistysalueyhdistys) is a government-funded organization with 37 nature reserves ranging in size from 1.1 to 450 hectares. In many of these parks infrastructure is deteriorating, and new day use shelters, fire sites, woodsheds, and signposts are needed. Grilling, hiking, foraging, and fishing are beloved summertime activities in Finnish culture and are cemented in law through the every-man’s rights enjoyed in the country. The Finnish relation-ship with nature is a deep and cultural one. This thesis explores how built park infrastructure can foster the cultural connection with nature in Finnish parks. Theoretical underpinnings of the nature-culture relationship are explored. Once seen in a dualistic manner, nature was seen to be a place absent of people. Since then, the understanding of nature in academic discourse has changed, and contemporary views of nature place humans within and part of it. Place can be defined as the space in which humans and landscape interact: where landscapes leave an impression on people and people leave an impression on the land. The benefits of nature experiences are well documented, and can be intentional or not. Ways in which park infrastructure can encourage and deepen nature experiences are explored. In this project, five different park elements are designed, each with varying amounts of input from the different stakeholders involved. A wood stove specifically designed for grilling was conceptualized by UUVI Field Manager Mikael Avellan, and re-dimensioned and drawn for this thesis. A large woodshed was also co-designed with Avellan and includes a sliding roof for easier refilling. Signpost, bench, and shelter designs were influenced heavily by user research conducted in Kopparnäs-Störsvik park, as well as continued input from UUVI staff with their considerable experi-ence. Research insights encouraged drawing the attention outwards from the shelters to promote incidental nature experiences; the use of more numerous but smaller shelters to disperse crowds; employing premium materials for longevity and to discourage vandalism; and the importance of accessibility. Detailed dimensioned drawings were created for each project element, and are now in the process of being prototyped and constructed by various manufacturers