A Rank Minrelation - Majrelation Coefficient

Improving the detection of relevant variables using a new bivariate measure could importantly impact variable selection and large network inference methods. In this paper, we propose a new statistical coefficient that we call the rank minrelation coefficient. We define a minrelation of X to Y (or equivalently a majrelation of Y to X) as a measure that estimate p(Y > X) when X and Y are continuous random variables. The approach is similar to Lin's concordance coefficient that rather focuses on estimating p(X = Y). In other words, if a variable X exhibits a minrelation to Y then, as X increases, Y is likely to increases too. However, on the contrary to concordance or correlation, the minrelation is not symmetric. More explicitly, if X decreases, little can be said on Y values (except that the uncertainty on Y actually increases). In this paper, we formally define this new kind of bivariate dependencies and propose a new statistical coefficient in order to detect those dependencies. We show through several key examples that this new coefficient has many interesting properties in order to select relevant variables, in particular when compared to correlation

A review of methods for capacity identification in Choquet integral based multi-attribute utility theory: Applications of the Kappalab R package

The application of multi-attribute utility theory whose aggregation process is based on the Choquet integral requires the prior identification of a capacity. The main approaches to capacity identification proposed in the literature are reviewed and their advantages and inconveniences are discussed. All the reviewed methods have been implemented within the Kappalab R package. Their application is illustrated on a detailed example.Multi-criteria decision aiding; Multi-attribute utility theory; Choquet integral; Free software

The Crazy Maze of Food Labeling and Food Claims Laws

(Excerpt) This Article critiques the role of the FDA in providing consumers with accurate and relevant food label information, identifies impediments in the pursuit of its mission, and offers solutions to those impediments. Part I of this Article traces the history of U.S. food labeling and health claims laws. Current food laws and their regulation have developed over time. The first federal legislation was passed in the early 1900s. The food laws of today have certainly been influenced by past food laws, which were largely a reaction to societal events. A brief summary of the historical development of our nation’s important food laws should serve to illustrate this point. Next, Part II demonstrates the significant hurdles that prevent the FDA from fulfilling its mission of consumer safety. The FDA has too many regulations to enforce, too many products and establishments to keep up with, and not enough staff or funding to adequately do either. Currently, supplement manufactures are not required to submit safety evidence before selling products. Therefore, the FDA does not investigate safety issues until becoming aware of a widespread health concern. The administrative hurdles are not internal to the FDA. The FDA is one of several agencies responsible for the regulation of food, and there are differing rules and key term definitions between agency regulations. Having varying rules and term definitions makes for conflicting laws and consumer confusion. Part III reviews studies on the effectiveness of food labels and health claims, as well as how the courts have treated health claims. Finally, Part IV argues that food and nutrition supplement laws should be streamlined. Although several authors ably identify solutions for how this may be accomplished, the sheer number of solutions that have been posited over the past several years is too plentiful to reasonably implement. Therefore, this Article suggests a combination of a few solutions that, taken together, are manageable implementations, which will maximize positive change in food law protections. The proposed improvements to food laws will be limited to establishing a simple mandatory front-of-package labeling scheme that will include: (1) eliminating structure/function claims; (2) greatly revising and simplifying nutrition content claims laws; (3) having the FDA issue letter grades for products based on evidence of health claims while allowing agreed-on health claims language to appear on the label; and (4) deferring to the expertise of the FDA in the courts

Vehicle & infrastructure relationships in hydrogen transportation networks: Development of the H2VISION modeling tool

The political instability of acquiring oversea oil resources, the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the desire for inexpensive energy have recently driven a shift of focus towards hydrogen energy. It has become increasingly evident that there are significant barriers facing the development of a hydrogen-based energy system – a system commonly referred to as the “hydrogen economy”. The small quantities of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles that have been deployed to date are not numerous enough to facilitate the growth of a substantial refueling infrastructure. Additionally, the underdeveloped and extremely limited infrastructure has imposed significant convenience costs upon consumers. These convenience costs, in turn, inhibit further purchases of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles – creating what has been dubbed the “chicken and egg” phenomenon. To analyze the vehicle-infrastructure chicken and egg phenomenon and assist in the creation of future hydrogen-related policies, this thesis presents the H2VISION systems model. H2VISION is designed to explore: (1) the role of various government policies aimed at hydrogen deployment (vehicle procurement, monetary incentives, or mass-station building); (2) the specific role of government as a first-use and innovative adopter of hydrogen technologies; (3) the effect of consumer preferences regarding vehicles and convenience costs regarding infrastructure on hydrogen markets; and (4) the short- and long-term results of mainstream hydrogen technology diffusion. Using H2VISION, multiple scenarios with varying demographic, market, and policy conditions are analyzed with an aim to isolate specific factors inhibiting the growth hydrogen markets. It is found that investments in infrastructure may yield more rapid market growth in comparison to investments in vehicles. However, it is concluded that funding cannot be applied solely to infrastructure and instead must be systematically applied to all aspects of hydrogen markets (vehicles, fuel, infrastructure, etc.). Only with a systematic and widespread application of funding will government policies facilitate the successful growth of the hydrogen economy

Biofuels: Impact of Selected Farm Bill Provisions and other Biofuel Policy Options

Agricultural and Food Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

US BIOFUEL AND CLIMATE POLICIES DUEL OVER CELLULOSIC BIOMASS

Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The influence of anesthesia and fluid-structure interaction on simulated shear stress patterns in the carotid bifurcation of mice

Background: Low and oscillatory wall shear stresses (WSS) near aortic bifurcations have been linked to the onset of atherosclerosis. In previous work, we calculated detailed WSS patterns in the carotid bifurcation of mice using a Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) approach. We subsequently fed the animals a high-fat diet and linked the results of the FSI simulations to those of atherosclerotic plaque location on a within-subject basis. However, these simulations were based on boundary conditions measured under anesthesia, while active mice might experience different hemodynamics. Moreover, the FSI technique for mouse-specific simulations is both time- and labor-intensive, and might be replaced by simpler and easier Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The goal of the current work was (i) to compare WSS patterns based on anesthesia conditions to those representing active resting and exercising conditions; and (ii) to compare WSS patterns based on FSI simulations to those based on steady-state and transient CFD simulations. Methods: For each of the 3 computational techniques (steady state CFD, transient CFD, FSI) we performed 5 simulations: 1 for anesthesia, 2 for conscious resting conditions and 2 more for conscious active conditions. The inflow, pressure and heart rate were scaled according to representative in vivo measurements obtained from literature. Results: When normalized by the maximal shear stress value, shear stress patterns were similar for the 3 computational techniques. For all activity levels, steady state CFD led to an overestimation of WSS values, while FSI simulations yielded a clear increase in WSS reversal at the outer side of the sinus of the external carotid artery that was not visible in transient CFD-simulations. Furthermore, the FSI simulations in the highest locomotor activity state showed a flow recirculation zone in the external carotid artery that was not present under anesthesia. This recirculation went hand in hand with locally increased WSS reversal. Conclusions: Our data show that FSI simulations are not necessary to obtain normalized WSS patterns, but indispensable to assess the oscillatory behavior of the WSS in mice. Flow recirculation and WSS reversal at the external carotid artery may occur during high locomotor activity while they are not present under anesthesia. These phenomena might thus influence plaque formation to a larger extent than what was previously assumed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved