2,121 research outputs found
Using a Bayesian model to jointly estimate the flaw size distribution and the pod function
In this paper we extend previous work by the authors to jointly estimate the flaw size distribution and the POD function from simulated field inspection data. Similar to our previous work, we assume that when a crack is above a detection threshold, both the signal amplitude and the flaw size are recorded. For a signal that is above the noise floor, but below the detection threshold, only the amplitude is recorded. At all other locations we know only that the signal is below the noise floor, i.e. left censored. Now our model allows different airplanes to have different crack growth rates, and the distribution of crack growth rates is to be estimated from the data. To estimate the parameters of the model, we use a Bayesian formulation that provides a convenient structure for estimating the plane‐to‐plane differences. The Bayesian formulation also allows the use of prior information based on knowledge of physics or previous experience with similar inspection situations. For example, there may be useful information about crack growth rates and about the slope in the amplitude and crack size relationship. Use of such information can importantly improve estimation precision
Erotica as Public Pedagogy: Learning Identity through Popular Cultural Sources
Women who are feminist and submissive struggle to learn about and navigate their identities. This study found popular cultural texts played a key role in identity construction for these women
Erotica as Public Pedagogy: Learning Identity through Popular Cultural Sources
Women who are feminist and submissive struggle to learn about and navigate their identities. This study found popular cultural texts played a key role in identity construction for these women
Cellular solid behaviour of liquid crystal colloids. 1. Phase separation and morphology
We study the phase ordering colloids suspended in a thermotropic nematic
liquid crystal below the clearing point Tni and the resulting aggregated
structure. Small (150nm) PMMA particles are dispersed in a classical liquid
crystal matrix, 5CB or MBBA. With the help of confocal microscopy we show that
small colloid particles densely aggregate on thin interfaces surrounding large
volumes of clean nematic liquid, thus forming an open cellular structure, with
the characteristic size of 10-100 micron inversely proportional to the colloid
concentration. A simple theoretical model, based on the Landau mean-field
treatment, is developed to describe the continuous phase separation and the
mechanism of cellular structure formation.Comment: Latex 2e (EPJ style) EPS figures included (poor quality to comply
with space limitations
Urinary Metabolites of Di(2‐ethylhexyl) Phthalate Are Associated With Decreased Steroid Hormone Levels in Adult Men
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96413/1/jandrol.108.006403.pd
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Urinary Metabolites of Organophosphate Flame Retardants: Temporal Variability and Correlations with House Dust Concentrations
Background: A reduction in the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) because of human health concerns may result in an increased use of and human exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). Human exposure and health studies of OPFRs are lacking. Objectives: We sought to define the degree of temporal variability in urinary OPFR metabolites in order to inform epidemiologic study design, and to explore a potential primary source of exposure by examining the relationship between OPFRs in house dust and their metabolites in urine. Methods: Nine repeated urine samples were collected from 7 men over the course of 3 months and analyzed for bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPP), metabolites of the OPFRs tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPP), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to characterize temporal reliability. Paired house dust and urine samples were collected from 45 men. Results: BDCPP was detected in 91% of urine samples, and DPP in 96%. Urinary BDCPP showed moderate-to-strong temporal reliability (ICC range, 0.55–0.72). ICCs for DPP were lower, but moderately reliable (range, 0.35–0.51). There was a weak [Spearman r (rS) = 0.31] but significant (p = 0.03) correlation between urinary BDCPP and TDCPP concentrations in house dust that strengthened when nondetects (rS = 0.47) were excluded. There was no correlation between uncorrected DPP and TPP measured in house dust (rS < 0.1). Conclusions: Household dust may be an important source of exposure to TDCPP but not TPP. Urinary concentrations of BDCPP and DPP were moderately to highly reliable within individuals over 3 months
The Weibull-Geometric distribution
In this paper we introduce, for the first time, the Weibull-Geometric
distribution which generalizes the exponential-geometric distribution proposed
by Adamidis and Loukas (1998). The hazard function of the last distribution is
monotone decreasing but the hazard function of the new distribution can take
more general forms. Unlike the Weibull distribution, the proposed distribution
is useful for modeling unimodal failure rates. We derive the cumulative
distribution and hazard functions, the density of the order statistics and
calculate expressions for its moments and for the moments of the order
statistics. We give expressions for the R\'enyi and Shannon entropies. The
maximum likelihood estimation procedure is discussed and an algorithm EM
(Dempster et al., 1977; McLachlan and Krishnan, 1997) is provided for
estimating the parameters. We obtain the information matrix and discuss
inference. Applications to real data sets are given to show the flexibility and
potentiality of the proposed distribution
Genetic Control of Immune Responsiveness: A Review of Its use as a Tool for Selection for Disease Resistance
Disease resistance and immune responsiveness have been traits generally ignored by animal breeders. Recent advances in immunology and molecular biology have opened new avenues towards our understanding of genetic control of these traits. The major histocompatibility gene complex (MHC) appears to play a central role in all immune functions and disease resistance. The need to understand the relationship between immune responsiveness, disease resistance and production traits is discussed in this review. Antagonistic relationships might prevent simultaneous improvement of all of these traits by conventional breeding methods. It is suggested that genetic engineering methods may allow the simultaneous improvement of disease resistance and production traits in domestic animals. Genes of the MHC will be especially good candidates for genetic engineering experiments to improve domestic species
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