A tractable, parsimonious and flexible model for cylindrical data, with applications

In this paper, we propose cylindrical distributions obtained by combining the sine-skewed von Mises distribution (circular part) with the Weibull distribution (linear part). This new model, the WeiSSVM, enjoys numerous advantages: simple normalizing constant and hence very tractable density, parameter-parsimony and interpretability, good circular-linear dependence structure, easy random number generation thanks to known marginal/conditional distributions, flexibility illustrated via excellent fitting abilities, and a straightforward extension to the case of directional-linear data. Inferential issues, such as independence testing, circular-linear respectively linear-circular regression, can easily be tackled with our model, which we apply on two real data sets. We conclude the paper by discussing future applications of our model.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figure

Del obispado condal al obispado autónomo: el desarrollo de la relación entre el Conde de Barcelona y la iglesia como sistema de poder en el siglo XII

In the age of the Gregorian Reform, the Counts of Barcelona, like Ramon Berenguer I (1031-1076), attempted to cooperate with churchmen on the Reform so that they could maintain their infl uence upon the Church. Nevertheless, though they acted in the same way as other princes of the Latin-Catholic regions, they lost their influence on the Church drastically over the 12th century. This article explores the process of this change chronologically focusing on the relations between the Count and a specific bishopric, that is, the bishopric of Girona, which received the impact of feudalization of the epoch more than any other bishoprics in the County. We will deal with the period from Count Ramon Berenguer III (1097-1131) to Count Pere II (1196-1213). First, we will analyse the ecclesiastical policy of the Counts of Barcelona in the first half of the 12th century and clarify its character comparing it with that of Ramon Berenguer I. Secondly, we will explore the circumstance of the bishopric under the Gregorian Reform, the feudalization of society and the Counts’ policy, and analyse its reaction against them; that is, its acts with feudal lords and its political-social role in the region that it began to play in the fi rst half of the 12th century. Thirdly, we will explore the reaction of the Counts in the second half of the 12th century against those changes of the bishopric in the first half of the century. Through this analysis of the transformation of the relationship between the Count of Barcelona and the Church, we will be able to obtain a certain amount of information on the essential part of the political character of the County of Barcelona.In the age of the Gregorian Reform, the Counts of Barcelona, like Ramon Berenguer I (1031-1076), attempted to cooperate with churchmen on the Reform so that they could maintain their infl uence upon the Church. Nevertheless, though they acted in the same way as other princes of the Latin-Catholic regions, they lost their influence on the Church drastically over the 12th century. This article explores the process of this change chronologically focusing on the relations between the Count and a specific bishopric, that is, the bishopric of Girona, which received the impact of feudalization of the epoch more than any other bishoprics in the County. We will deal with the period from Count Ramon Berenguer III (1097-1131) to Count Pere II (1196-1213). First, we will analyse the ecclesiastical policy of the Counts of Barcelona in the first half of the 12th century and clarify its character comparing it with that of Ramon Berenguer I. Secondly, we will explore the circumstance of the bishopric under the Gregorian Reform, the feudalization of society and the Counts’ policy, and analyse its reaction against them; that is, its acts with feudal lords and its political-social role in the region that it began to play in the fi rst half of the 12th century. Thirdly, we will explore the reaction of the Counts in the second half of the 12th century against those changes of the bishopric in the first half of the century. Through this analysis of the transformation of the relationship between the Count of Barcelona and the Church, we will be able to obtain a certain amount of information on the essential part of the political character of the County of Barcelona.In the age of the Gregorian Reform, the Counts of Barcelona, like Ramon Berenguer I (1031-1076), attempted to cooperate with churchmen on the Reform so that they could maintain their infl uence upon the Church. Nevertheless, though they acted in the same way as other princes of the Latin-Catholic regions, they lost their influence on the Church drastically over the 12th century. This article explores the process of this change chronologically focusing on the relations between the Count and a specific bishopric, that is, the bishopric of Girona, which received the impact of feudalization of the epoch more than any other bishoprics in the County. We will deal with the period from Count Ramon Berenguer III (1097-1131) to Count Pere II (1196-1213). First, we will analyse the ecclesiastical policy of the Counts of Barcelona in the first half of the 12th century and clarify its character comparing it with that of Ramon Berenguer I. Secondly, we will explore the circumstance of the bishopric under the Gregorian Reform, the feudalization of society and the Counts’ policy, and analyse its reaction against them; that is, its acts with feudal lords and its political-social role in the region that it began to play in the fi rst half of the 12th century. Thirdly, we will explore the reaction of the Counts in the second half of the 12th century against those changes of the bishopric in the first half of the century. Through this analysis of the transformation of the relationship between the Count of Barcelona and the Church, we will be able to obtain a certain amount of information on the essential part of the political character of the County of Barcelona

A tractable, parsimonious and flexible model for cylindrical data, with applications

peer reviewedNew cylindrical distributions are proposed by combining the sine-skewed von Mises distribution (circular part) with the Weibull distribution (linear part). This new model, the WeiSSVM, enjoys numerous advantages: simple normalizing constant and hence very tractable density, parameter-parsimony and interpretability, good circular–linear dependence structure, easy random number generation thanks to known marginal/conditional distributions, and flexibility illustrated via excellent fitting abilities. Inferential issues, such as independence testing, circular–linear respectively linear–circular regression, can easily be tackled with the new model, which is applied on two real data sets

Cosine perturbation of bimodal circular distributions

Open House, ISM in Tachikawa, 2010.7.9統計数理研究所オープンハウス（立川）、H22.7.9ポスター発

An extension of sine-skewed circular distributions

Sine-skewed circular distributions are identifiable and have easily-computable trigonometric moments and a simple random number generation algorithm, whereas they are known to have relatively low levels of asymmetry. This study proposes a new family of circular distributions that can be skewed more significantly than that of existing models. It is shown that a subfamily of the proposed distributions is identifiable with respect to parameters and all distributions in the subfamily have explicit trigonometric moments and a simple random number generation algorithm. The maximum likelihood estimation for model parameters is considered and its finite sample performances are investigated by numerical simulations. Some real data applications are illustrated for practical purposes

角度の変換を用いた円周分布族の拡張

Open House, ISM in Tachikawa, 2011.7.14統計数理研究所オープンハウス（立川）、H23.7.14ポスター発

Specific Incompleteness Elicited Complementary Action: Unexpected Legacy of the South African TRC

The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), (1) which has long been a leading reference case in transitional justice (TJ), has recently become a focus again in research into post-TJ social change. While its beginnings mainly focus on practical questions of success or failure for each TJ case, TJ studies have moved to more local-oriented topics, such as politics, perceptions, and reactions by local actors. This paper sets its analytical direction in this vein, starting to review the TRC in probing the conflictive motivations and actions of political stakeholders during the TRC’s active period. Being affected by such local politics, the TRC could not achieve what it held as official objectives. Incompleteness in the TRC’s outcomes has naturally been criticised by observers, yet after the end of the official programme, the incompleteness would turn into a catalyst for new movements by civil society actors. We incorporate the concept of propagation of movement repertoire from social movement theory to understand the unexpected legacy of the TRC and draw the current social actions that spontaneously suture the incompleteness of the TRC’s activities

Social Cohesion against Xenophobic Tension: A Case Study of Yeoville, Johannesburg

Since 2008's xenophobic disturbances, living together has once again become an urgent agenda for South Africa, especially in sharply multi-ethnic urban milieus. Scholars and practitioners have attempted to identify both the causes of and possible preventative measures for these xenophobic outbreaks by discussing such topics as rising food and commodity prices, high unemployment rates, and lack of local leadership. However, these inquiries have been unable to identify what mechanism in areas with a heavy migrant presence may prevent a retreat into violent conflict. This paper focuses on the networks and activities of local civil societies of Yeoville, including migrant organisations, and explores what alternatives are functioning to mitigate and regulate lingering tension among locals. From observing the activities of "streetlevel mediators" without official power or status, particularly their indirect intervention into potential sites of conflict, this case study submits the following arguments within the theoretical context of the social cohesion debate that: 1) the concept of control may not befit attempts to counter exclusionist movements in sharply diverse situations, and 2) the catalytic actor can be effective in a context characterised by multiple centres of power

Combination of high-resolution cone beam computed tomography and metal artefact reduction software: a new image fusion technique for evaluating intracranial stent apposition after aneurysm treatment.

We introduce a new imaging technique to improve visualisation of stent apposition after endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms employing high-resolution cone beam CT and three-dimensional digital subtraction angiography. After performing a stent-assisted coil embolisation of brain aneurysm, the image datasets were processed with a metal artefact reduction software followed by the automated image fusion programmes. Two patients who underwent aneurysm coiling using a Neuroform stent were evaluated. The reconstructed 3D images showed a detailed structure of the stent struts and identified malappositions of the deployed stents. Case 1 showed good apposition on the outer curvature side of the carotid siphon, while the inner curvature side showed prominent malapposition. Case 2, with multiple aneurysms, showed good apposition on both outer and inner curvature sides, although inward prolapse of the struts was observed. This new imaging technique may help evaluate stent apposition after the endovascular aneurysm treatment

El siglo IX en el Mediterráneo occidental a partir de los registros numismáticos

Se analizan en este texto las emisiones monetarias de los momentos finales del Emirato omeya andalusí, en relación con los acontecimientos políticos y las numerosas revueltas que tuvieron lugar durante la segunda mitad del siglo IX e inicios del X. Se revisan también algunas acuñaciones realizadas al margen del poder emiral y la presencia de numerario extranjero, así como algunas series que parecen estar relacionadas con los ribāṭ-s