perms: Marginal likelihood estimation for binary Bayesian nonparametric models in Python and R

Binary responses arise in a multitude of statistical problems, including binary classification, bioassay, current status data problems and sensitivity estimation. There has been an interest in such problems in the Bayesian nonparametrics community since the early 1970s, but inference given binary data is intractable for a wide range of modern simulation-based models, even when employing MCMC methods. Recently, Christensen (2023) introduced a novel simulation technique based on counting permutations, which can estimate both posterior distributions and marginal likelihoods for any model from which a random sample can be generated. However, the accompanying implementation of this technique struggles when the sample size is too large (n > 250). Here we present perms, a new implementation of said technique which is substantially faster and able to handle larger data problems than the original implementation. It is available both as an R package and a Python library. The basic usage of perms is illustrated via two simple examples: a tractable toy problem and a bioassay problem. A more complex example involving changepoint analysis is also considered. We also cover the details of the implementation and illustrate the computational speed gain of perms via a simple simulation study

Direct Strength Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members with Perforations

Cold-formed steel (CFS) structural members are commonly manufactured with holes to accommodate plumbing, electrical, and heating conduits in the walls and ceilings of buildings. Current design methods available to engineers for predicting the strength of CFS members with holes are prescriptive and limited to specific perforation locations, spacings, and sizes. The Direct Strength Method (DSM), a relatively new design method for CFS members validated for members without holes, predicts the ultimate strength of a general CFS column or beam with the elastic buckling properties of the member cross- section (e.g., plate buckling) and the Euler buckling load (e.g., flexural buckling). This research project, sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute, extends the appealing generality of DSM to cold-formed steel beams and columns with perforations.American Iron and Steel Institut

The Case for an Adaptive Integration Framework for Data Aggregation/Dissemination in Service-Oriented Architectures

Abstract The migration to Service Oriented Architectures (SOA

2020 Scholars at Work Webinar Program

Program for the 2020 Scholars at Work Webinar held virtually for Minnesota State University, Mankato on September 11, 202

NASA Hybrid Wing Aircraft Aeroacoustic Test Documentation Report

This report summarizes results of the Hybrid Wing Body (HWB) N2A-EXTE model aeroacoustic test. The N2A-EXTE model was tested in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel (14x22 Tunnel) from September 12, 2012 until January 28, 2013 and was designated as test T598. This document contains the following main sections: Section 1 - Introduction, Section 2 - Main Personnel, Section 3 - Test Equipment, Section 4 - Data Acquisition Systems, Section 5 - Instrumentation and Calibration, Section 6 - Test Matrix, Section 7 - Data Processing, and Section 8 - Summary. Due to the amount of material to be documented, this HWB test documentation report does not cover analysis of acquired data, which is to be presented separately by the principal investigators. Also, no attempt was made to include preliminary risk reduction tests (such as Broadband Engine Noise Simulator and Compact Jet Engine Simulator characterization tests, shielding measurement technique studies, and speaker calibration method studies), which were performed in support of this HWB test. Separate reports containing these preliminary tests are referenced where applicable

AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROCESS TO PLAN MOOSE MANAGEMENT IN MINNESOTA

Concern over the decline of moose in Minnesota led to a Legislative Session Law mandating that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) develop a Moose Management and Research Plan (MMP).  Prior to developing the MMP, the DNR was required to form a Moose Advisory Committee (MAC).  The MAC met 8 times in August 2008-July 2009 and  provided management and research recommendations to the DNR in a 45-page report available on the internet.  This paper details the MAC process and serves as a reference for agencies that find themselves in a similar management circumstance.  Procedural decisions, planning needs, and development of the final report are discussed herein

A Low-Cost GPS GSM/GPRS Telemetry System: Performance in Stationary Field Tests and Preliminary Data on Wild Otters (Lutra lutra)

Background: Despite the increasing worldwide use of global positioning system (GPS) telemetry in wildlife research, it has never been tested on any freshwater diving animal or in the peculiar conditions of the riparian habitat, despite this latter being one of the most important habitat types for many animal taxa. Moreover, in most cases, the GPS devices used have been commercial and expensive, limiting their use in low-budget projects. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have developed a low-cost, easily constructed GPS GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) and examined its performance in stationary tests, by assessing the influence of different habitat types, including the riparian, as well as water submersion and certain climatic and environmental variables on GPS fix-success rate and accuracy. We then tested the GPS on wild diving animals, applying it, for the first time, to an otter species (Lutra lutra). The rate of locations acquired during the stationary tests reached 63.2%, with an average location error of 8.94 m (SD = 8.55). GPS performance in riparian habitats was principally affected by water submersion and secondarily by GPS inclination and position within the riverbed. Temporal and spatial correlations of location estimates accounted for some variation in the data sets. GPS-tagged otters also provided accurate locations and an even higher GPS fix-success rate (68.2%). Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that GPS telemetry is reliably applicable to riparian and even divin

Maternal and fetal genetic effects on birth weight and their relevance to cardio-metabolic risk factors.

Birth weight variation is influenced by fetal and maternal genetic and non-genetic factors, and has been reproducibly associated with future cardio-metabolic health outcomes. In expanded genome-wide association analyses of own birth weight (n = 321,223) and offspring birth weight (n = 230,069 mothers), we identified 190 independent association signals (129 of which are novel). We used structural equation modeling to decompose the contributions of direct fetal and indirect maternal genetic effects, then applied Mendelian randomization to illuminate causal pathways. For example, both indirect maternal and direct fetal genetic effects drive the observational relationship between lower birth weight and higher later blood pressure: maternal blood pressure-raising alleles reduce offspring birth weight, but only direct fetal effects of these alleles, once inherited, increase later offspring blood pressure. Using maternal birth weight-lowering genotypes to proxy for an adverse intrauterine environment provided no evidence that it causally raises offspring blood pressure, indicating that the inverse birth weight-blood pressure association is attributable to genetic effects, and not to intrauterine programming.The Fenland Study is funded by the Medical Research Council (MC_U106179471) and Wellcome Trust

Simulation of digital circuits

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Direct Strength Design of Cold-Formed Steel Members with Perforations

Cold-formed steel (CFS) structural members are commonly manufactured with holes to accommodate plumbing, electrical, and heating conduits in the walls and ceilings of buildings. Current design methods available to engineers for predicting the strength of CFS members with holes are prescriptive and limited to specific perforation locations, spacings, and sizes. The Direct Strength Method (DSM), a relatively new design method for CFS members validated for members without holes, predicts the ultimate strength of a general CFS column or beam with the elastic buckling properties of the member cross- section (e.g., plate buckling) and the Euler buckling load (e.g., flexural buckling). This research project, sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute, extends the appealing generality of DSM to cold-formed steel beams and columns with perforations.American Iron and Steel Institut