Certain Types Of Measurements Research Articles

Prioritizing bicycle parking improvements: An application of the logsum approach

Increasing the number and quality of bicycle parking facilities is essential to promoting cycling. However, quantifying the benefits of such improvements is difficult and has not yet been the focus of research. Apart from rule-of-half-based approaches, logsum analysis is a method for estimating the consumer surplus of measures, reflecting actual behavior.This paper presents such an analysis of a set of measures on the RWTH Aachen University campus as a case study. Considering only the direct consumer surplus, the economic efficiency of the analyzed measures diverges significantly. The replacement of inadequate front wheel racks has the best consumer surplus-cost ratio, while the construction of bicycle parking stations has the worst. Taking into account modal shift effects and related changes in externalities and reduced demand for car parking, the cost-benefit ratios of the measures would be much higher. Even though the presented logsum approach ignores these second-order effects and focuses exclusively on economic efficiency, it is still useful in practice for prioritizing potential measures. Apart from that, the results show that groups of cyclists benefit differently from certain types of measures depending on their student status, employee group, and the resale value of their bicycle. Additionally, the analysis emphasizes the importance of including informal parking when modeling bicycle parking behavior.

Healthcare professionals’ views on the most important outcomes for non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment: A qualitative study

Background Uveitis comprises a range of conditions that result in intraocular inflammation. Most sight-threatening uveitis falls into the broad category known as Non-infectious Posterior Segment-Involving Uveitis (PSIU). To evaluate treatments, trialists and clinicians must select outcome measures. The aim of this study was to understand healthcare professionals’ perspectives on what outcomes are important to adult patients with PSIU and their carers. Methods Twelve semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken to understand the perspectives of healthcare professionals. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Findings were compared with the views of patients and carers and outcomes abstracted from a previously published systematic review. Results Eleven core domains were identified as important to healthcare professionals: (1) visual function, (2) symptoms, (3) functional ability, (4) impact on relationships, (5) financial impact, (6) psychological morbidity and emotional well-being (7) psychosocial adjustment to uveitis, (8) doctor / patient / interprofessional relationships and access to health care, (9) treatment burden, (10) treatment side effects, (11) disease control. Healthcare professionals recognised a similar range of domains to patients and carers but placed more emphasis on certain outcomes, particularly in the disease control domain. In contrast the range of outcomes identified via the systematic review was limited. Conclusion Healthcare professionals recognise all of the published outcome domains as patients/carers in the previous publication but with subtly differing emphasis within some domains and with a priority for certain types of measures. Healthcare professionals discussed the disease control and side effects/complications to a greater degree than patients and carers in the focus groups

Визначення ступеня семантичної подібності з використанням апарату дескриптивних логік

Establishing the semantic similarity of information is an integral part of the process of solving any information retrieval tasks, including tasks related to big data processing, discovery of semantic web services, categorization and classification of information, etc. The special functions to determine quantitative indicators of degree of se­mantic similarity of the information allow ranking the found information on its semantic proximity to the pur­po­se or search request/template. Forming such measures should take into account many aspects from the mea­nings of the matched concepts to the specifics of the business-task in which it is done. Usually, to construct such si­milarity functions, semantic ap­proaches are combined with structural ones, which provide syntactic comparison of concepts descriptions. This allows to do descriptions of the concepts more detail, and the impact of syntactic matching can be significantly reduced by using more expressive descriptive logics to represent information and by moving the focus to semantic properties. Today, DL-ontologies are the most developed tools for representing semantics, and the mechanisms of reasoning of descriptive logics (DL) provide the possibility of logical inference. Most of the estimates presented in this paper are based on basic DLs that support only the intersection constructor, but the described approaches can be applied to any DL that provides basic reasoning services. This article contains the analysis of existing approaches, models and measures based on descriptive logics. Classification of the estimation methods both on the levels of defining similarity and the matching types is proposed. The main attention is paid to establishing the similarity between concepts (conceptual level models). The task of establishing the value of similarity between instances and between concept and instance consists of finding the most specific concept for the instance / instances and evaluating the similarity between the concepts. The term of existential similarity is introduced. In this paper the examples of applying certain types of measures to evaluate the degree of semantic similarity of notions and/or knowledge based on the geometry ontology is demonstrated.

Defining degree of semantic similarity using description logic tools

Establishing the semantic similarity of information is an integral part of the process of solving any information retrieval tasks, including tasks related to big data processing, discovery of semantic web services, categorization and classification of information, etc. The special functions to determine quantitative indicators of degree of semantic similarity of the information allow ranking the found information on its semantic proximity to the purpose or search request/template. Forming such measures should take into account many aspects from the meanings of the matched concepts to the specifics of the business-task in which it is done. Usually, to construct such similarity functions, semantic approaches are combined with structural ones, which provide syntactic comparison of concepts descriptions. This allows to do descriptions of the concepts more detail, and the impact of syntactic matching can be significantly reduced by using more expressive descriptive logics to represent information and by moving the focus to semantic properties. Today, DL-ontologies are the most developed tools for representing semantics, and the mechanisms of reasoning of descriptive logics (DL) provide the possibility of logical inference. Most of the estimates presented in this paper are based on basic DLs that support only the intersection constructor, but the described approaches can be applied to any DL that provides basic reasoning services. This article contains the analysis of existing approaches, models and measures based on descriptive logics. Classification of the estimation methods both on the levels of defining similarity and the matching types is proposed. The main attention is paid to establishing the similarity between concepts (conceptual level models). The task of establishing the value of similarity between instances and between concept and instance consists of finding the most specific concept for the instance / instances and evaluating the similarity between the concepts. The term of existential similarity is introduced. In this paper the examples of applying certain types of measures to evaluate the degree of semantic similarity of notions and/or knowledge based on the geometry ontology is demonstrated.

Corporate performance and sustainability: Evidence from listed firms in Portugal and Spain

We examine the impact of various factors on the quality of environmental disclosure using a sample of listed companies in Portugal and Spain for the period 2010–2017 using the generalized method of moments (GMM) and adding a sustainability index created through principal component analysis (PCA). The econometric model has been used to show the practical implications of gender corporate governance (CG) indicators and the proposed index over the market and accounting-based performance measures. The study focuses on factors related to the strategy and vision of the firm, diversity within boards, and environmental factors. Results highlight that the presence of women on board increases both financial performance and sustainability practices, highly visible through market-based measures. Sustainability initiatives also increase financial performance which works also in the other way around. Still, sustainability practices by companies are highly dependent on their financial situation casting doubts on the effectiveness of the regulations obliging to insert certain types of measures within the company. Results are useful for regulatory parties, companies, and stakeholders. Companies should still be aware of the pressure posed by both shareholders and stakeholders regarding sustainability practices, and the increased gender diversity may have an intermediate role between CG, sustainability, and financial performance.

Accuracy of digital dental models using the low-cost DAVID laser scanner.

Accurate laser scanning of plaster casts using validated, low-cost hardware represents a key issue in 3D orthodontics. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of measurements taken from plaster casts (gold standard) with digital models of those casts created with a low-cost structural light DAVID laser scanner. Five different measurements were taken on each of 14 plaster casts by 2 independent observers with an electronic caliper. The measurements were repeated 10 times on all 14 plaster casts by each observer, with a 1-week interval between each set of measurements. All 14 plaster casts were digitized using a low-cost DAVID SLS 3 laser scanner. The same 5 measurements were performed on each of the 3D virtual surface models of the 14 plaster casts by 2 independent observers using Meshlab software in a manner similar to that used with the digital caliper. The measurements were repeated 10 times by the 2 observers with 1 week between each set of measurements. The laser-scanned models were more accurate than the plaster cast models in defining measurements based on simple tooth fissures. The accuracy of measurements based on complex tooth fissures were equivalent for the 2 types of model. For measurements based on interproximal dental contacts, the 2 methods of measurement were similar and both were notably poor in terms of accuracy. Three-dimensional virtual models obtained from the low-cost DAVID laser scanner can be used clinically, but only for certain types of measurements and indications.

New Approach to Analysis of Selected Measurement and Monitoring Systems Solutions in Ship Technology.

This paper is dedicated to certain types of measurement in ship systems, analyzed based on selected case studies. In the introductory part, a simplified structure of a modern cargo ship as an object of measurement and control is presented. Next, the role of measurement in the ship’s operation process is described and commented on, with focus on specifics of local and remote control, both manual and automatic. The key part of the paper is dedicated to a short overview of selected examples of measuring and monitoring systems. The basic criteria for the aforementioned selection are the vital role of the considered systems for safe and effective ship operation as well as documented innovative contribution of Gdynia Maritime University (GMU) in development of the state-of-the-art in the analysed area of measurement. Based on these criteria, the monitoring of operational parameters of main engine and temperature measurement in the ships hazardous areas have been chosen. The aforementioned measurement and monitoring systems are analysed, taking into account both innovation of technical solutions together with their ship technology environment conditions and related legal requirements. Finally, some concluding remarks are formulated.

Effective and persistent changes in household energy-saving behaviors: Evidence from post-tsunami Japan

This paper focuses on households’ development of new energy-efficient habits as demonstrated in the context of a major electricity shortfall event. Energy conservation policies should encourage households to take measures that are actually effective in reducing energy consumption and that can be sustained over long periods of time. Few studies, however, have empirically examined what types of energy-saving measures are actually effective and persistent. The electricity shortages following the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster provided an opportunity to examine this question. A web survey of households in Japan was implemented to obtain data on metered electricity use in the summers of 2010–2013, household behaviors for electricity savings, and household socioeconomic attributes. Regression analysis was conducted to explain the effectiveness and persistence of energy saving behaviors. Results indicate that most households took several electricity-saving measures after the disaster to adapt to the electricity shortage. Certain types of measures led to 2–4% savings in electricity consumption (per measure) and persisted for two years. The effective and persistent electricity-saving measures tended to be those that did not require either frequent efforts or considerable discomfort. Findings suggest that electricity-saving behaviors requiring infrequent effort and little discomfort can become engrained as new habits or lifestyles. In particular, one promising measure may be to lower the electricity-usage settings of appliances.

Not really the same: Computerized and real lotteries in decision making research

Computer technologies are routinely employed for many experimental procedures in decision-making research. Because computer-supported conduct has been shown to bias certain types of measures, the study evaluated the impact of computerized presentation of lotteries on risky choice tasks. A sample of 187 German undergraduates (147 women) participated in an experiment on financial decision-making. After presenting two types of lotteries participants had to choose between the risky and the conservative lottery. The experiment followed a 3 (presentation mode)×2 (type of payoff) factorial design. Results indicated that the risky lottery was chosen more frequently when the lotteries were presented on computer as compared to real lotteries where participants drew balls from a closed box. Differences in risk perceptions mediated the mode effect on choice behavior. Moreover, risk taking decreased when the monetary payoff was made salient. Hence, computerized sampling and artificial payoffs (e.g., points) increased risky choices. Our findings therefore suggest that computer-supported sampling procedures in decision-making research might overestimate risk-taking behavior as compared to risk-taking in applied practice (i.e. in non-virtual sampling scenarios using monetary payoffs).

A global A-state potential surface for H2O: Influence of excited states on the O(1D)+H2 reaction

In this article a global potential energy surface for the 1A′′ state of H2O based on application of the reproducing kernel Hilbert space interpolation method to high quality ab initio results is presented. The resulting 1A′′ surface is used in conjunction with a previously determined 1A′ surface to study the O(1D)+H2(HD,D2) reaction dynamics, with emphasis on the influence of the 1A′′ excited state on measurable properties such as the reactive cross sections, rate coefficients, and product state distributions. There is a reactive threshold of about 2 kcal/mol on the 1A′′ surface, and even at 5 kcal/mol, the 1A′′ reactive cross section is only a small fraction (∼20%) of the barrierless 1A′. However, the 1A′′ surface populates very specific product vibrational states (v=3–4) and gives strongly backward peaked differential cross sections, so certain types of measurements are quite sensitive to the presence of this excited state. In particular, better agreement is found with experimental vibrational and angular distributions with 1A′′ included, especially at translational energies of 4 kcal/mol and above. A rough estimate of the influence of the 2A′ surface indicates that this state also makes an important contribution to vibrational and angular distributions at high energies. The 1A′′ and 2A′ surfaces also measurably affect the energy dependence of the integral cross sections at energies above 2 kcal/mol, and the temperature dependence of thermal rate coefficients for O(1D)+H2 at temperatures of 1000 K and above.

On the application of measurement theory in software engineering

Elements of measurement theory have recently been introduced into the software engineering discipline. It has been suggested that these elements should serve as the basis for developing, reasoning about, and applying measures. For example, it has been suggested that software complexity measures should be additive, that measures fall into a number of distinct types (i.e., levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio), that certain statistical techniques are not appropriate for certain types of measures (e.g., parametric statistics for less-than-interval measures), and that certain transformations are not permissible for certain types of measures (e.g., non-linear transformations for interval measures). In this paper we argue that, inspite of the importance of measurement theory, and in the context of software engineering, many of these prescriptions and proscriptions are either premature or, if strictly applied, would represent a substantial hindrance to the progress of empirical research in software engineering. This argument is based partially on studies that have been conducted by behavioral scientists and by statisticians over the last five decades. We also present a pragmatic approach to the application of measurement theory in software engineering. While following our approach may lead to violations of the strict prescriptions and proscriptions of measurement theory, we demonstrate that in practical terms these violations would have diminished consequences, especially when compared to the advantages afforded to the practicing researcher.

Perturbed-Angular-Correlation Spectroscopy: Renaissance of a Nuclear Technique

During the past decade, perturbed-angular-correlation (PAC) spectroscopy has emerged as an important technique in several areas of materials science. PAC spectroscopy is used to measure the effects of local fields at well-defined lattice sites in a crystal. These measurements can provide unique information about the structures, kinetics, and energetics associated with point defects, the mechanisms of phase transitions, and the strengths and symmetries of chemical bonds of atoms on surfaces and at interfaces. In what follows, I describe the PAC technique in the context of several examples of these applications and I comment on the historical evolution of this spectroscopy.Hyperfine InteractionsThe field of hyperfine interactions encompasses spectroscopic techniques that use the electric and magnetic nuclear moments to measure the specific extranuclear environment of the nuclear moments. Examples of these techniques are nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR), nuclear-quadrupole-resonance (NQR), electron-paramagnetic-resonance (EPA), muon-spin-rotation (MSR), Mössbauer-effect (ME), and perturbed-angular-correlation (PAC) spectroscopies. Each of these techniques is well-suited to certain types of measurements but useless for others. For example, NMR spectroscopy can be particularly useful for measuring chemical shifts associated with nuclei of atoms that are major constituents of crystalline solids. However, nuclear electricquadrupole interactions associated with some NMR-active nuclei are not only difficult to measure but they often obscure much of the chemical-shift information by producing spectral-line broadening. PAC spectroscopy can be used to accurately measure the nuclear electric-quadrupole interactions at the sites of nuclei of atoms that are trace dopants in crystals. But the PAC technique is insensitive to the effects of local charge distributions that produce the NMR chemical shifts. ME spectroscopy can be used to measure both of these effects as well as nuclear magnetic-dipole interactions. However, ME measurements are often only practical on crystals that have one of several elements as a major constituent, that is, either Fe or Sn. In addition, the ME sensitivity depends on temperature, and the NMR and EPR sensitivities also depend on temperature. However, the PAC measurement is independent of temperature, which can be a great advantage for studying phenomena such as phase transitions.

On a recent attempt to define the interpretation basis in the many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics

David Deutsch's 1985 algorithm to determine the preferred product structure and basis in the many worlds interpretation is examined. His heuristic argument for the conditions appearing in the algorithm is found wanting. The question of the existence and uniqueness of a final solution to his algorithm is discussed. The algorithm is shown to be inadequate to account for certain types of measurement which are, at least in principle, possible.

Shoring up the Baht

Despite the fall in the world price of oil, a major item in the country's import bill Thailand's trade deficit rose to a record level in 1983. This culminated in a loss of confidence in the value of the baht. Although the government's policy was to follow a cautious fiscal and monetary policy as laid down in the fifth five-year plan (1982-86), in actual fact, what took place was a very expansionary fiscal and monetary policy following this second global oil crisis. The problems that followed were exacerbated by the government's inability to use certain types of measures particularly the adjustment of the exchange rate. Moreover, the balance of payments crisis occurred at the most unfortunate time. Two finance companies, Thai Land and Housing Credit Foncier, and Equity Development Finance and Securities Company (EDT), collapsed in October 1983 as a result of liquidity problems caused by mismanagement. A chain reaction was set off. More finance companies went down, and many more encountered serious liquidity problems. The collapse of various finance companies and the loss of public confidence in the domestic financial system were partly the consequence of the government's inaction, over the previous four years, in introducing stricter control over finance companies after the collapse of Raja Finance, an important financial house in 1979. From mid-1983, a number of serious problems coincided and confidence in the value of the baht was deteriorating rapidly, yet the government was extremely slow in introducing any measure to alleviate these problems. This was mainly due to the lack of co-operation in the formulation and implementation of fiscal and monetary policies between the key economics agencies: the Finance Ministry, the Bank of Thailand and the Planning Board. As a result the problems were left untouched until the crisis escalated out of proportion and eventually a number of drastic actions had to be taken. The measures had been quite successful in restoring confidence in the value of the baht, but they also caused painful side effects. During the first six months of 1984, the number of bankruptcies and dishonoured cheques rose sharply, and the austerity measures became a political issue. What happened in 1984 was mainly the result of official mismanagement of the economy during the previous four years. Therefore, very drastic actions had to be taken in order to restore confidence in the baht and the financial system. Had a more cautious and consistent policy been taken the crisis could have been avoided.

Experimental evidence for a secular decrease in the gravitational constantG

This paper combines data from a variety of sources relating to changes in the earth's spin for the purpose of estimating changes in the earth's polar moment of inertia Ce and in the gravitational constant G. The changes in Ce and G cannot be inferred with confidence until an important question in lunar theory is resolved and until certain types of measurement are improved. Plausible assumptions lead to the tentative conclusion that Ce is increasing and that G is decreasing at rates of the order of 1 part in 108 per century. These estimates agree to order of magnitude with the rate of upward transport of material at the mid-ocean ridges.

Evaluating Air Pollution Problems

The materials which produce air pollution are many and varied and the instruments used to measure them are as varied as the pollutants themselves. Hundreds of instruments have been developed, and each can be used to gain information about a particular facet of the problem. The Encyclopedia of Instrumentation for Industrial Hygiene furnished an excellent description of air pollution instruments in use as of 1956. This report was brought up to date with the 1960 publication ''Air Sampling Instruments for Evaluation of Atmospheric Contaminants,'' which shows that 60 additional instruments have become available during the past 4 years. When choosing equipment to make air quality measurements it is necessary to estimate the possible pollutants as well as the degree of accuracy and thoroughness with which they must be measured. Availability and reliability of equipment, cost of operation, and skill required for satisfactory results are also factors to be considered in equipment choice. Air pollution investigations have not yet reached the point where standard measuring equipment is used, although certain types of measurements and techniques are frequently used in evaluating certain qualities of the atmosphere. The following discussion deals with some of the more widely used devices and techniques for measuringmore » specific types of air pollutants. 17 references.« less

The developmental health examination

Summary 1.A medical health examination is an assessment of constitutional status; a developmental health examination is an assessment of specific progress in physical growth and maturation, in mental expansion, in emotional stability, and in other aspects of normal healthy childhood. 2.The conduct of a developmental health examination calls for certain types of measurement which are discussed in some detail in the body of this paper. 3.Some of these determinations may readily be incorporated in the routine pediatric serial examinations, especially the determinations of physical growth and maturation which, properly interpreted, throw a very significant light on the progress of growth in childhood. 4.Of these determinations now available the roentgenographic investigation holds the greatest immediate promise. 5.Greater precision in definition of the superior type of childhood is easily attainable as well as in the segregation of simple and self-rectifying types of retardation from the pathological forms which call for medical supervision to restore metabolic integrity. 6.The developmental health examination opens up a new vista of understanding in the problems and personality of the healthily growing child. Summary 1.A medical health examination is an assessment of constitutional status; a developmental health examination is an assessment of specific progress in physical growth and maturation, in mental expansion, in emotional stability, and in other aspects of normal healthy childhood. 2.The conduct of a developmental health examination calls for certain types of measurement which are discussed in some detail in the body of this paper. 3.Some of these determinations may readily be incorporated in the routine pediatric serial examinations, especially the determinations of physical growth and maturation which, properly interpreted, throw a very significant light on the progress of growth in childhood. 4.Of these determinations now available the roentgenographic investigation holds the greatest immediate promise. 5.Greater precision in definition of the superior type of childhood is easily attainable as well as in the segregation of simple and self-rectifying types of retardation from the pathological forms which call for medical supervision to restore metabolic integrity. 6.The developmental health examination opens up a new vista of understanding in the problems and personality of the healthily growing child.

A New Instrument for Measuring X-radiation

THE fundamental principle of measurement upon which is based the instrument to be described in this paper is a very old one. It is known in physics as the “null,” “zero,” “compensation,” or “balance” method, and is generally accepted as the most satisfactory procedure for certain types of measurement. The well known Wheatstone bridge and potentiometer, used extensively for electrical measurements, are based on this principle. On the other hand, the apparatus as a whole and the component parts in their special functions have not been employed before for similar purposes, at least to the writer's knowledge. In order to bring out in a simple way the operation of the device, it is well perhaps to start with a mechanical analogy. Everyone is familiar with the weighing of objects by means of a beam balance. Let us analyze the procedure. We wish to determine the weight of, let us say, a coin by means of the simple balance shown diagrammatically in Figure 1. The first thing to do is to check the balance and if it...