Sources Of Divergence Research Articles

Evaluating the robustness of parameter estimates in cognitive models: A meta-analytic review of multinomial processing tree models across the multiverse of estimation methods.

Researchers have become increasingly aware that data-analysis decisions affect results. Here, we examine this issue systematically for multinomial processing tree (MPT) models, a popular class of cognitive models for categorical data. Specifically, we examine the robustness of MPT model parameter estimates that arise from two important decisions: the level of data aggregation (complete-pooling, no-pooling, or partial-pooling) and the statistical framework (frequentist or Bayesian). These decisions span a multiverse of estimation methods. We synthesized the data from 13,956 participants (164 published data sets) with a meta-analytic strategy and analyzed the magnitude of divergence between estimation methods for the parameters of nine popular MPT models in psychology (e.g., process-dissociation, source monitoring). We further examined moderators as potential sources of divergence. We found that the absolute divergence between estimation methods was small on average (<.04; with MPT parameters ranging between 0 and 1); in some cases, however, divergence amounted to nearly the maximum possible range (.97). Divergence was partly explained by few moderators (e.g., the specific MPT model parameter, uncertainty in parameter estimation), but not by other plausible candidate moderators (e.g., parameter trade-offs, parameter correlations) or their interactions. Partial-pooling methods showed the smallest divergence within and across levels of pooling and thus seem to be an appropriate default method. Using MPT models as an example, we show how transparency and robustness can be increased in the field of cognitive modeling. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Are crimes against women in India converging? Some empirical observations

ABSTRACT Using the Indian state-level panel data on crimes against women for the period 2000–2019, we examined whether various rates of crime against women were converging. The second-generation unit-root test proposed by Pesaran (2007) was employed to check for absolute β-convergence after conforming to cross-sectional dependence in our panel analysis. The results showed no convergence for various rates of crime against women at the aggregate level, barring dowry deaths. The disaggregated zone-wise results revealed convergence in Eastern and North Eastern states for the Composite Crime Index (CI). The rate of rape was convergent in the west zone, while dowry deaths and cruelty by husbands were convergent only in the Eastern zone. Note that there was a weak convergence in dowry deaths in the North zone. In short, our study fails to find robust evidence of strong convergence in various categories of crime against women in India. The system-GMM results of conditional β-convergence broadly supported the no-convergence results of Pesaran’s unit-root test, as divergence was found in most crime categories. The prominent sources of divergence are women’s employment, female foeticide rate, number of pending cases, rate of arrest, and the proportion of Schedule Castes (SCs) people in the total population.

Decisional Convergence in Reforms? — Evidence from a Comprehensive Study of Performance Budgeting Foundations in the US and China

ABSTRACT In line with Pollitt’s call to clarify convergence in public management reforms, this research explores the decisional convergence in the context of performance budgeting reforms. Applying longer, deeper and comparative approaches, this research analyzes decades of experiences and comprehensive performance budgeting written foundations between two countries under the same framework. We found convergence of reform direction and transferability of key dimensions of reform. However, the important decisional divergences lie in evolution paths, reform speeds and the uneven, and sometimes surprisingly differential specifications of measurement, integration, accountability, and culture in performance budgeting foundations between the two countries. Adaptations and aspirations as sources of divergence, theoretical implications of T-form reform, and implications for generally accepted performance principles are explored.

Robustness of carbon-ion radiotherapy against DNA damage repair associated radiosensitivity variation based on a biophysical model.

Interpatient variation of tumor radiosensitivity is rarely considered during the treatment planning process despite its known significance for the therapeutic outcome. To apply our mechanistic biophysical model to investigate the biological robustness of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) against DNA damage repair interference (DDRi) associated patient-to-patient variability in radiosensitivity and its potential clinical advantages against conventional radiotherapy approaches. The "UNIfied and VERSatile bio response Engine" (UNIVERSE) was extended by carbon ions and its predictions were compared to a panel of in vitro and in vivo data including various endpoints and DDRi settings within clinically relevant dose and linear energy transfer (LET) ranges. The implications of UNIVERSE predictions were then assessed in a clinical patient scenario considering DDRi variance. UNIVERSE tests well against the applied benchmarks. While in vitro survival curves were predicted with an R2>0.92, deviations from in vivo RBE data were less than 5.6% The conducted paradigmatic patient plan study implies a markedly reduced significance of DDRi based radiosensitivity variability in CIRT (13% change of in target) compared to conventional radiotherapy (62%) and that boosting the LET within the target further amplifies this robustness of CIRT (8%). In the case of heightened tumor radiosensitivity, a dose de-escalation strategy for photons allows a reduction of the maximum effective dose within the normal tissue (NT) from a of 2.65 to 1.64Gy, which lies below the level found for CIRT ( =2.41Gy) for the analyzed plan and parameters. However, even after de-escalation, the integral effective dose in the NT is found to be substantially higher for conventional radiotherapy in comparison to CIRT ( of 0.75, 0.46, and 0.24Gy for the conventional plan, its de-escalation and CIRT, respectively). The framework offers adequate predictions of in vitro and in vivo radiation effects of CIRT while allowing the consideration of DRRi based solely on parameters derived from photon data. The results of the patient planning study underline the potential of CIRT to minimize important sources of interpatient divergence in therapy outcome, especially when combined with techniques that allow to maximize the LET within the tumor. Despite the potential of de-escalation strategies for conventional radiotherapy to reduce the maximum effective dose in the NT, CIRT appears to remain a more favorable option due to its ability to reduce the integral effective dose within the NT.

Assessing the spatial coherence of forest cover indicators from different data sources: A contribution to sustainable development reporting

The accuracy of forest area estimates has improved over time as a result of field/cadastral surveys, enhanced remote sensing techniques, and the effectiveness of algorithms for automatical recognition of land cover types. However, forest statistics seem to be less accurate in disaggregated spatial domains such as small administrative units. To evaluate the contribution of different data sources to small-area forest cover estimation in Europe, we compared seven indicators with different spatial coverage and resolution. The analysis considered multiple information sources from innovative initiatives, such as the Copernicus Land monitoring scheme, and traditional (national) surveys. More specifically, the study examined the spatial coherence of these indicators at the municipal scale in Italy to achieve two objectives: (i) assessing the overall precision of forest cover rates and (ii) identifying spatial variations in forest cover rates associated with the technical characteristics of each data source. A spatial econometric approach was used to identify the sources of spatial divergence in forest cover rates and determine the data providers best suited to meet the information requirements of environmental reporting at the desired spatial scale. The results reveal that the selected indicators show varying degrees of internal coherence, with some indices displaying strong correlations and others delineating heterogeneous spatial patterns. Our study highlights the importance of choosing the right information source assessing forest area at the municipal level and provides a valuable approach quantifying the coherence and reliability of environmental indicators in monitoring key aspects of sustainable development.

Dispersion Analysis studies in Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) based on Wilk’s Criteria and Canonical Vectors

Gossypium arboreum is a native cotton species of India. It is cultivated from extreme north of Punjab to Kanyakumari in the south and Assam in the east to Kutch (Gujarat) in the west of country. G.arboreum genotypes matures in 150 to 180 days and is usually having coarse and short fibred and has high degree of resistance to diseases and insect pests and is very valuable germplasm resources and have great export value. The investigation for fifty-eight desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) genotypes was undertaken to estimate the degree of divergence among the fifty eight genotypes of desi cotton and thereby to identify potential and diverse genotypes for their utilization in hybridization program based on wilk’s criteria and canonical vectors. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among fifty eight genotypes collected from different cotton growing states in respect of all the twelve morphological characters under study indicating the presence of substantial degree of variability. The canonical root analysis revealed about 80.19 per cent of the total variation was accounted by the first six canonical roots. In root I seed cotton yield per plant, in root II initial plant stand, in root III lint index, in root IV boll weight, in root V number of monopodia per plant and in root VI plant height were important sources of divergence. Among twelve characters studied, seed cotton yield per plant (g) contributed maximum towards divergence followed by initial plant stand, ginning percent, seed index and number of bolls per plant, indicating that yield and yield contributing characters contributed maximum towards divergence. Key words: Canonical roots, D2 analysis, Desi Cotton, Genetic divergence, G. arboreum.

The North-South divide: Sources of divergence, policies for convergence

Building on the labour-augmented K+S model framework, we analyse the Italian North-South divide by means of an agent-based model (ABM) endogenously reproducing the divergence between two artificial macro-regions. The latter are characterised by identical initial conditions in terms of productive and innovation structures, but different labour market organisations. We identify the role played by these different arrangements on the possible divergence across the two regions. We found that divergences in the labour market reverberate into asymmetric productive performance due to negative reinforcing feedback loop dynamics. We then compare alternative mitigation policies by showing that schemes increasing machine renewal and replacement investment are the most effective in fostering convergence.

Расхождение в ESG-рейтингах: зарубежныe регуляторныe тренды

Studies show that correlations of ESG ratings provided by various rating agencies are fairly weak. The challenge related to disparities in ESG ratings often referred to as “divergence” of ESG ratings is widely discussed in academic and professional community. This divergence may lead to investment decisions made based on misleading information and thus, distort the re-orientation of capital flows into sustainable business. For this reason, there is a growing legislative and regulatory focus on ESG related issues, including the activities of ESG rating providers. The purpose of this article is to conduct a preliminary assessment of the approaches of foreign regulators in addressing the issue of divergence of ESG ratings through an in-depth exploration of this phenomenon and its sources. A careful study of the underlying factors of ESG rating disparities allows us to consider the identified foreign regulatory trends in the context of their focus on eliminating these factors. The methodology of the article is based on the review of the available academic literature and empirical research, study of ESG rating methodologies and analysis of adopted or proposed foreign regulatory requirements. A number of regulatory trends has been identified, which together shape the premise for the development of the regulatory framework of ESG ratings in the future. These trends include a strong focus on corporate ESG reporting and increasing transparency of ESG rating methodologies. However, elimination of the main sources of divergence are not among the tasks of the foreign regulators.

The domestic sources of macroprudential policy divergence: financial regulation and the politics of housing in Germany and the UK

The domestic sources of macroprudential policy divergence: financial regulation and the politics of housing in Germany and the UK

Sources of convergence and divergence in university research quality: evidence from the performance-based research funding system in New Zealand

The introduction of performance-based research funding systems (PBRFS) in many countries has generated new information on their impacts. Recent research has considered whether such systems generate convergence or divergence of research quality across universities and academic disciplines. However, little attention has been given to the processes determining research quality changes. This paper utilises anonymised longitudinal researcher data over 15 years of the New Zealand PBRFS to evaluate whether research quality changes are characterised by convergence or divergence, and the processes determining those dynamics. A unique feature is the use of longitudinal data to decompose changes in researcher quality into contributions arising from the entry, exit and quality transformations of retained researchers, and their impacts on convergence or divergence of research quality across universities and disciplines. The paper also identifies how researcher dynamics vary systematically between universities and disciplines, providing new insights into the effects of these systems.

Sources of divergence in income in Indian states, 2001–2015

SummaryMotivationEmpirical studies on income convergence for India indicate that Indian states exhibit divergence in income. The literature, however, has neglected the convergence dynamics of the main sources of output. A pertinent question is whether divergence in income is due to divergence in factor inputs (capital and labour) and/or in total factor productivity (TFP) in India, a low middle‐income country with high dispersion of per capita income across its states.PurposeThis article examines the sources of income divergence in Indian states by analysing convergence in TFP, labour, and capital.Methods and approachWe test for stochastic convergence hypothesis by employing state‐level data for 19 Indian states during the period 2001–2015. Given the small sample dimension of the Indian state‐level income data, we benefit from the recent developments in non‐stationary panel data literature; and conduct novel panel stationarity and unit root tests with a fixed time dimension. We further carry out a robustness analysis to account for cross‐section dependency across the states.FindingsTFP as well as the factor inputs (labour and capital) exhibit divergence, implying persistence in income inequality across Indian states. Divergence in labour across the states reflects the fact that migration is primarily an intra‐district phenomenon. Poor investment climate in low‐income states acts as a barrier for convergence in capital. TFP and capital stock are found to be correlated, and thereby lower investment in poorer states may be responsible for divergence in TFP across the states.Policy implicationsMigration in India is primarily an intra‐district phenomenon. There is a need to study the reasons which are discouraging inter‐district and inter‐state migration for better utilization of the labour resource. Government intervention has not been adequate to improve the infrastructure position and encourage capital inflows to low‐income states. Low‐income states should improve their business climate and create support infrastructure to earn the confidence of investors. Increasing investment in low‐income states would help to increase their TFP and catch up with the high‐income states.

Stable witness-beam formation in a beam-driven plasma cathode

This paper describes the utilization of beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration to implement a high-quality plasma cathode via density-downramp injection in a short injector stage at the FLASHForward facility at DESY. Electron beams with charge of up to 105 pC and energy spread of a few percent were accelerated by a tunable effective accelerating field of up to 2.7 GV/m. The plasma cathode was operated drift-free with very high injection efficiency. Sources of jitter, the emittance and divergence of the resulting beam were investigated and modeled, as were strategies for performance improvements that would further increase the wide-ranging applications for a plasma cathode with the demonstrated operational stability

Three sides of the same coin? comparing party positions in VAAs, expert surveys and manifesto data

ABSTRACT Existing research on political parties’ policy positions has traditionally relied on expert surveys and/or party manifesto data. More recently, Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) have been increasingly used as an additional method for locating parties in the policy space, with a closer focus on concrete policy issues. In this manuscript, we examine the reliability of party positions originated from a VAA, utilising the euandi longitudinal dataset, which provides data on positions of over 400 unique political parties across 28 EU member states from the European Parliament elections of 2009, 2014 and 2019. We cross-validate euandi data with the Comparative Manifesto Project (CMP) and the Chapel Hill Expert Survey (CHES). Our results attest the reliability of the euandi trend file vis-à-vis remaining data sources, demonstrating the validity of VAA-based methods to estimate the policy positions of European political parties. Convergence is especially high with CHES party placements. We also explore the sources of divergence in the estimation of policy positions across the three methods, finding little evidence of a systematic source of bias in the estimates between datasets. We conclude with an inventory of arguments in favour of party position measurements used by VAAs for the study of policy-making in European democracies.

ΔO2/N2′ as a New Tracer of Marine Net Community Production: Application and Evaluation in the Subarctic Northeast Pacific and Canadian Arctic Ocean

We compared field measurements of the biological O2 saturation anomalies, ΔO2/Ar and ΔO2/N2, from simultaneous oceanographic deployments of a membrane inlet mass spectrometer and optode/gas tension device (GTD). Data from the Subarctic Northeast Pacific and Canadian Arctic Ocean were used to evaluate ΔO2/N2 as an alternative to ΔO2/Ar for estimates of mixed layer net community production (NCP). We observed strong spatial coherence between ΔO2/Ar and ΔO2/N2, with small offsets resulting from differences in the solubility properties of Ar and N2 and their sensitivity to vertical mixing fluxes. Larger offsets between the two tracers were observed across hydrographic fronts and under elevated sea states, resulting from the differential time-response of the optode and GTD, and from bubble dissolution in the ship’s seawater lines. We used a simple numerical framework to correct for physical sources of divergence between N2 and Ar, deriving the tracer ΔO2/N2′. Over most of our survey regions, ΔO2/N2′ provided a better analog for ΔO2/Ar, and thus more accurate NCP estimates than ΔO2/N2. However, in coastal Arctic waters, ΔO2/N2 and ΔO2/N2′ performed equally well as NCP tracers. On average, mixed layer NCP estimated from ΔO2/Ar and ΔO2/N2′ agreed to within ∼2 mmol O2 m–2 d–1, with offsets typically smaller than other errors in NCP calculations. Our results demonstrate a significant potential to derive NCP from underway O2/N2 measurements across various oceanic regions. Optode/GTD systems could replace mass spectrometers for autonomous NCP derivation under many oceanographic conditions, thereby presenting opportunities to significantly expand global NCP coverage from various underway platforms.

Policy responses to foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States and Germany

This paper explores differences in national responses to foodborne disease outbreaks, addressing both the sources of policy divergence and their implications for public health and coordinated emergency response. It presents findings from a comparative study of two multi-state E. coli outbreaks, one in the United States (2006) and one in Germany (2011), demonstrating important differences in how risk managers understood and responded to each nation’s first major outbreak associated with fresh produce. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of 36 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and hundreds of archival documents, this paper traces how social constructions of the E. coli risk interacted with organizational dynamics among state and industry actors to produce divergent policy outcomes: the U.S. outbreak was understood primarily as an agricultural problem that led to an industry-led agricultural solution, whereas the German outbreak was understood as a human disease problem that did not result in a substantial policy response once the acute health crisis passed. The paper concludes by discussing how these policy processes generate partial solutions to foodborne contamination that expose modern societies to systemic vulnerabilities.

Omissions, Intrusions, and Use of Standard Recipes in Computer Assisted and Pen and Paper 24-hour Dietary Recalls Compared With Weighed Food Record: Results From Burkina Faso

ObjectivesA validation study in Burkina Faso compared accuracy of two modes of administration of a 24-hour individual dietary recall (24HR), pen-and-paper (PAPI) and tablet (computer-assisted, CAPI), using weighed food record (WFR) as a benchmark. Sources of divergence between the WFR and each 24HR mode were explored, including number of times items in the WFR were omitted from the 24HR (omissions), and number of times items appeared in the 24HR but not the WFR (intrusions). MethodsSubjects were 231 rural women aged 18–49 years. For the WFR an enumerator visited the household and recorded all food consumed from early morning until after the evening meal, at home and away. Food prepared at home was weighed before and after cooking; amount taken by the respondent was weighed; leftovers subtracted. For mixed dishes, the enumerator weighed all ingredients prior to cooking, the finished dish, and the amount consumed by the respondent, assuming equal distribution of ingredients. The following day a different enumerator administered a multiple pass 24HR of the previous day. Mixed dishes were recorded in two ways: if the dish was similar to a standard recipe (SR) obtained from previous surveys, the quantity was recorded assuming the ingredients and proportions matched the SR. If the dish was not similar, it was considered a non-standard recipe (NSR), and the enumerator recorded the quantity of each ingredient, the final dish, and amount consumed. ResultsIn both modes, omissions outnumbered intrusions. About 1/4 of foods in the WFR were omitted from the 24HR: 26.5% (PAPI); 25.1% (CAPI); about 10% of foods in both 24HR did not match the WFR. For NSRs, omissions and intrusions were less frequent: 15.1% (PAPI) and 16.5% (CAPI) omissions; 2.5% (PAPI) and 5.1% (CAPI) intrusions. SRs were recorded less frequently than individual foods or NSRs. PAPI, 400 foods, 404 NSRs, 91 SRs; CAPI, 386 foods, 411 NSRs, 100 SRs. SRs were more frequently omitted in CAPI (30%) than PAPI (18.7%); and added: CAPI (15.0%); PAPI (7.7%). ConclusionsRespondents to both 24HR modes were more likely to forget items than recall them erroneously. SRs are intended to reduce respondent burden but were infrequently used. The time saved using SRs should be balanced against possible loss of accuracy. Sources of divergence between 24HR and the WFR need investigation. Funding SourcesBill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Causes of the gender divide within entrepreneurship ecosystems

Knowledge about connections within a local economic system holds implication for understanding the ways in which individuals and categories of entrepreneurs access the system itself and resources provided within. While scholars have recently found complex divisions of networks within local entrepreneurship ecosystems, we still have a limited understanding about why these chasms exist. We present a case study with qualitative research in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of St. Louis, Missouri, which identifies structural sources of divergence in networks. Specifically, we find a gender gap in the ecosystem that reveals patterns of difference in access to resources and in the experiences of women relative to men entrepreneurs. Thus, we contribute a more nuanced understanding of how discrete elements within a system’s networks diverge, as well as identifying the root causes of this divergence. The article concludes with implications for theories and practice.

Algorithmic governance: A modes of governance approach

AbstractThis article examines how modes of governance are reconfigured as a result of using algorithms in the governance process. We argue that deploying algorithmic systems creates a shift toward a special form of design‐based governance, with power exercised ex ante via choice architectures defined through protocols, requiring lower levels of commitment from governing actors. We use governance of three policy problems – speeding, disinformation, and social sharing – to illustrate what happens when algorithms are deployed to enable coordination in modes of hierarchical governance, self‐governance, and co‐governance. Our analysis shows that algorithms increase efficiency while decreasing the space for governing actors' discretion. Furthermore, we compare the effects of algorithms in each of these cases and explore sources of convergence and divergence between the governance modes. We suggest design‐based governance modes that rely on algorithmic systems might be re‐conceptualized as algorithmic governance to account for the prevalence of algorithms and the significance of their effects.

Economic valuation of air pollution-related mortality in France

This article proposes a methodological discussion based on an economic evaluation of the mortality impacts of chronic exposure to fine particulate matter in mainland France. It starts from the health impact assessment carried out by Sante publique France in 2016 for 5 scenarios of decrease in concentrations using two methods to measure mortality (number of premature deaths prevented, and total number of life years gained). After a justification of the monetary values used – €3 million for the value for a prevented fatality and €80,000 for the value of a life year gained – we apply them to the health data and obtain results comparable to contemporary studies. In particular, in a scenario without anthropogenic pollution, the 2016 EQIS estimates that 48,283 premature deaths could be prevented, corresponding to an economic assessment of €144.85 billion. We then address methods and practices first identifying the sources of divergence with the previous French study conducted in 1998-99, whose assessment was 5 times lower despite higher particulate emissions. We next discuss the choice of monetary values and the conditions for using these results in public decision-making. Finally, we provide an additional argument on the need to reduce people's exposure to ambient air pollution in France.

Optimizing Differentiated HIV Treatment Models in Urban Zimbabwe: Assessing Patient Preferences Using a Discrete Choice Experiment

Differentiated service delivery holds great promise for streamlining the delivery of health services for HIV. This study used a discrete choice experiment to assess preferences for differentiated HIV treatment delivery model characteristics among 500 virally suppressed adults on antiretroviral therapy in Harare, Zimbabwe. Treatment model characteristics included location, consultation type, healthcare worker cadre, operation times, visit frequency and duration, and cost. A mixed effects logit model was used for parameter estimates to identify potential preference heterogeneity among participants, and interaction effects were estimated for sex and age as potential sources of divergence in preferences. Results indicated that participants preferred health facility-based services, less frequent visits, individual consultations, shorter waiting times, lower cost and, delivered by respectful and understanding healthcare workers. Some preference heterogeneity was found, particularly for location of service delivery and group vs. individual models; however, this was not fully explained by sex and age characteristics of participants. In urban areas, facility-based models, such as the Fast Track model requiring less frequent clinic visits, are likely to better align with patient preferences than some of the other community-based or group models that have been implemented. As Zimbabwe scales up differentiated treatment models for stable patients, a clear understanding of patient preferences can help in designing services that will ensure optimal utilization and improve the efficiency of service delivery.