Graphical tools for conditional probabilistic exploration of multivariate spatial datasets

Two exploratory data analysis techniques the comap and the quad plot are shown to have both strengths and shortcomings when analysing spatial multivariate datasets. A hybrid of these two techniques is proposed: the quad map which is shown to overcome the outlined shortcomings when applied to a dataset containing weather information for disaggregate incidents of urban fires. Common to the quad plot, the quad map uses Polya models in order to articulate the underlying assumptions behind histograms. The Polya model formalises the situation in which past fire incident counts are computed and displayed in (multidimensional) histograms as appropriate assessments of conditional probability providing valuable diagnostics such as posterior variance i.e. sensitivity to new information. Finally we discuss how new technology in particular Online Analytics Processing (OLAP) and Geographical Information Systems (GISs) offer potential in automating exploratory spatial data analyses techniques, such as the quad map.     

“They have good intentions”. Young People's Experiences of Living in Melbourne's Peri-Urban Areas

While contemporary urban theories suggest that individuals have transcended their geographical community, evidence suggests that urban residents still feel ‘attached’ to place. In the literature, several socio-demographic characteristics are associated with place attachment. Scholars suggest physical features, such as community ‘greenspace’, may also influence place attachment. Yet research does not consider the relationship between one's objective proximity to greenspace or the objective availability of community greenspace on residents' place attachment. This study employs multi-level models and draws on police incident data, census data, two spatial data sets and survey data from over 4000 residents living across 148 state suburbs in Australia to assess the relationship between greenspace proximity and greenspace availability on place attachment. Our findings indicate that greater proportions and more accessible greenspace may not improve residents' attachment to their local community.     

Combustion of Mechanically Alloyed Aluminum‐Magnesium Powders in Steam

Mechanically alloyed Al ⋅ Mg powders with the mole fraction of Al varied from 0.47 to 0.9 were burned at atmospheric pressure in water vapor. The powders were carried by nitrogen through the center of a hydrogen‐oxygen diffusion flame. The particles ignited in the steam at approximately 2500 K, generated as the hydrogen‐oxygen flame product. Filtered photomultiplier tubes were used to capture the optical emission traces of individual particles as they burned. It was assumed that the measured durations of individual emission pulses are representative of individual particle burn times. Distributions of the burn times were obtained for each powder and correlated with respective particle size distributions to relate particle burn times with their sizes. Color temperatures corresponding to the particle emission signals were also obtained. It was observed that the burn times measured for alloys were more close to those of pure Al than Mg; for particles smaller than 2–3 μm, burn times for the alloys were shorter than for pure metal particles. The effect was strongest for the alloy with 50 wt‐% of Mg (Al_0.47Mg_0.54). Approximately, burn times, τ, as a function of particle size, d, could be estimated using a τ∼dⁿ law, where n increased from 0.72 to 1.05 as the mole fraction of Mg increased from 0.1 to 0.53. The particle flame temperatures varied between 2500 and 3100 K for all alloys except for Al_0.7Mg_0.3, for which the temperatures were somewhat lower. The measured flame temperatures were reasonably close to the adiabatic flame temperatures calculated for combustion of mixed elemental Al and Mg in steam.     

Development and application of Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) to subtype a collection of Listeria monocytogenes

In this study we report the development and application of a Multiple-Locus Variable number of tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA) strategy for subtyping Listeria monocytogenes. Genome profiles of a collection of forty-five food-borne L. monocytogenes isolates were compared using MLVA. These isolates were obtained as part of an active surveillance programme of foods in the south-east region of Ireland. MLVA successfully discriminated amongst the isolates. The method was easy to perform, relatively fast and could be deployed in any molecular laboratory with basic laboratory equipment. This approach is a valuable tool, which has the capability to provide comparable results when compared with other more established typing methods, including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).     

Some considerations on the reliability and validity of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for Adolescents.

Reviews the material presented in the S. A. Brown et al (see record 1988-28300-001) report on the reliability and validity of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire for Adolescents (AEQ-A). Data are presented that suggest that the reliability and validity of the AEQ-A remain to be fully established. A preliminary outline of a potential theoretical direction is provided that applies Rotter's Social Learning Theory (J. B. Rotter, 1954 and 1982) as a framework for future work with alcohol-related expectancies and other cognitive-behavioral research on alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of altering the daily herbage allowance to cows in mid lactation on the composition, ripening and functionality of low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese

A retrospective chart review was used to examine sexual behavior (hypersexual, exposing, and victimizing) and cognitive impairment in 200 youth who had serious mental illness. Lower IQ was associated with increased sexual acting-out. For more serious victimizing sexual behaviors, only Verbal IQ differences reached statistical significance. Overall, sexual behavior was strongly associated with a history of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse history was significantly associated only with lower Performance IQ. Therefore, the association between low Verbal IQ and sexual victimizing behavior is distinct from the effects of sexual abuse. Results underscore the importance of verbal cognitive abilities, regardless of overall cognitive level, in the etiology and treatment of sexual behaviors, especially among individuals without a history of sexual abuse.     

Passive Phasing in a Coherent Laser Array

A coherent array of fiber lasers in a self-Fourier cavity is described and analyzed. With individual regenerative feedback added to each fiber laser, the integrated gain in each individual fiber is a function of its cold cavity phase shift (fiber length). This results in a gain-dependent phase shift due to the Kramers-Kronig relations, and has been shown to partially compensate for the random differences in fiber lengths often encountered in coherent fiber arrays. A coupled cavity analysis of the active gain elements and the passive external cavity is performed and a self-consistent fundamental supermode determined. The output phase distribution of the array is determined based on a random distribution in fiber lengths. The Strehl ratio of this phase distribution is calculated and compared to experimental data.     

Blind sensing [eddy current sensor]

Describes a precise and accurate noncontact measuring device based on eddy currents. It is based on the principle that when an oscillator induces an eddy current in an electrically conductive target, the circuit loses energy. It works at high speeds, is nonoptical and is impervious to variations in temperature and other ambient conditions (oil, dirt, water, electromagnetic fields etc.). Electrical runout (inhomogeneity) disturbs the propagation of the eddy currents and affects the transducer output, which in turn results in noise and degraded resolution, but this effect can be reduced by an appropriate design. The sensors are used for various measurements, including distance, thickness, deflection, position, eccentricity, shaft run-out, imbalance, lubrication gap, vibration, deformation, valve stroke, compression gap, wear, shaft oscillation, shaft elongation and centring. The sensor has frequency output distance measurement; thickness measurement; deflection measurement; position measurement; eccentricity measurement; shaft run-out measurement; imbalance measurement; lubrication gap measurement; vibration measurement; deformation measurement; valve stroke measurement; compression gap measurement; wear measurement; shaft oscillation measurement; shaft elongation measurement; centring measurement;     

Time course of mossy fiber sprouting following bilateral transection of the fimbria/fornix

Lesions of the fimbria/fornix (FF) lead to a variety of epileptiform changes in hippocampal activity. In epilepsy, as well as in several experimental preparations of epilepsy, aberrant sprouting of the dentate gyrus mossy fibers (MF) is observed and has been hypothesized to play a critical role in the generation of seizure activity. We therefore sought to determine whether MF sprouting also follows FF transections. FF transections did indeed lead to MF sprouting, which became apparent at 14 days and reached asymptotic levels at 28 days post-lesion. These results indicate a possible mechanism for the epileptiform activity seen following FF lesions and provide an additional example of the diverse epileptogenic treatments that are accompanied by MF sprouting.