Probability distributions and statistical inference for axial data

Observations on axes which lack information on the direction of propagation are referred to as axial data. Such data are often encountered in enviromental sciences, e.g. observations on propagations of cracks or on faults in mining walls. Even though such observations are recorded as angles, circular probability models are inappropriate for such data since the constraint that observations lie only in [0, π) needs to be enforced. Probability models for such axial data are argued here to have a general structure stemming from that of wrapping a circular distribution on a semi-circle. In particular, we consider the most popular circular model, the von Mises or circular normal distribution, and derive the corresponding axial normal distribution. Certain properties of this distribution are established. Maximum likelihood estimation of its parameters are shown to be surprisingly, in contrast to trigonometric moment estimation, numerically quite appealing. Finally we illustrate our results by several real life axial data sets. Received: September 2004/ Revised: December 2004     

Tests for a biased sex ratio when the data are clustered

In behavioral ecology the overall sex ratio in a population of birds is often tested to see if it differs from a 50/50 ratio. In recent publications the binomial test or the ² test are carried out although the sexes of chicks within the same nest may not be independent. The lack of independence occurs since female birds can adjust the sex ratio in an adaptive way as demonstrated in recent studies. In order to take dependence into consideration the Wilcoxon signed rank test based on the within-brood differences between the proportions of sons and daughters was performed in a study investigating great tit hatchling sex ratios. We compare this test with a test based on an optimally weighted estimator recently proposed for medical studies with clustered binary data. According to our simulation results, this novel test is more powerful than the Wilcoxon signed rank test and should be used for the analysis of avian sex ratios. The methods are illustrated with real data from the great reed warbler.     

Multistate models for monitoring individual trees in permanent observation plots

This interdisciplinary research on forest ecosystems begins with some characteristics of ecosystems which are the basis for the derivation of statistical models for the development and vitality of trees. Several ecological problems which could be solved by longitudinal studies are mentioned. Statistical methods for the evaluation of the crowns of spruce trees (Picea abies Karst) in three permanent observation plots in Switzerland are described. In particular, the time-dependent proportional odds model and a transitional model are used. Through application of these multistate models the data give information on the dependence of an ordered categorical response variable on covariates characterizing the ecosystem. The response variable is observed through infrared aerial photographs. This monitoring system gives insight into the dynamic behaviour of the forest ecosystem. The need for more eco-systematically motivated statistical research using longitudinal studies is identified.     

拟面积多波长数据线性双组合解析萘,1—萘酚和2—萘酚同步荧光光谱的研究

本文研究了Δλ（λｅｍ－λｅｘ）为１３０ｎｍ和ＰＨ１２．０条件下，萘、１－萘粉和２－萘酚混合物的同步荧光光谱，获三者同步荧光峰信息，且萘被完全分辨，另外，提出用拟面积多波长线性双组合计算解析重叠的１－萘酚和２－萘酚同步荧光光谱，解析结果的精密度、组份间浓度比范围均较多波长线性回归、双峰增配平和一阶导数解析混合物同步荧光光谱结果为优。     

Linear regression with Type I interval- and left-censored response data

Laboratory analyses in a variety of contexts may result in left- and interval-censored measurements. We develop and evaluate a maximum likelihood approach to linear regression analysis in this setting and compare this approach to commonly used simple substitution methods. We explore via simulation the impact on bias and power of censoring fraction and sample size in a range of settings. The maximum likelihood approach represents only a moderate increase in power, but we show that the bias in substitution estimates may be substantial.     

Soil Lead and Children’s Blood Lead Levels in Syracuse, NY, USA

A geo-referenced data set of 12 228 first-time blood lead screening values for Syracuse, NY, children was established for the 4-year period 1992–1996. Soil lead values were measured in a 600 m by 600 m tessellation grid covering the city. The two data sets were merged for evaluation of relationships between them. Strong seasonal variation in blood lead levels suggests the importance of contaminated soils as an exposure source. When the data were aggregated at a large geographic scale (3 km²), a logarithmic model showed an R² of > 0.65 for the regression of geometric mean blood lead on median soil lead values. Results showed a striking similarity to those obtained by Mielke et al. (1999) for a study in New Orleans, LA, USA.     

Bayesian analysis under ordered functions of parameters

Ordered parameter problems arise in a wide variety of real world situations and are dealt with extensively in the literature. Traditional frequentist methods for dealing with these problems are rather complicated theoretically, especially when sample sizes are small. Bayesian methods are not widely used because high dimensional numerical integration is often required. However, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods provide alternatives to such numerical integration and also deal with ordered parameter problems in a straightforward manner. Little is known about the situation where functions of parameters are ordered. Such problems may seem to be of little practical concern initially, but one can readily see their importance in situations where ordering is placed on the means and variances of several normal or Gamma populations. For the Gamma distribution we will present real examples where we will analyze monthly precipitation data from San Francisco, California and Oakland Mills, Iowa. For the San Francisco data we will simultaneously order both monthly precipitation means and variances. For the Iowa data we will place ordering on seasonal average while still estimating monthly means. Our results show that we would obtain sharper, more accurate inference when order restrictions are employed.     

Reciprocal altruism and food sharing decisions among Hiwi and Ache hunter–gatherers

The common occurrence of food transfers within human hunter–gatherer and forager–horticulturalist groups presents exciting test cases for evolutionary models of altruism. While kin biases in sharing are consistent with nepotism based on kin selection, there is much debate over the extent to which reciprocal altruism and tolerated scrounging provide useful explanations of observed behavior. This paper presents a model of optimal sharing breadth and depth, based on a general non-tit-for-tat form of risk-reduction based reciprocal altruism, and tests a series of predictions using data from Hiwi and Ache foragers. I show that large, high variance food items are shared more widely than small, easily acquired food items. Giving is conditional upon receiving in pairwise interactions and this correlation is usually stronger when the exchange of value rather than quantities is considered. Larger families and low producing families receive more and give less, consistent with the notion that marginal value may be a more salient currency than quantity.

在环境地学研究中应用GIS急需解决的问题分析

地理信息系统已经成为环境地学的常用工具，但主要被用来存储和显示地图，没有发挥其应有的功能。本文认为多源空间数据集成、空间数据分析和挖掘队及模型集成等是其中三个最主要问题。多源环境数据集成是基础，空间分析是连接多源数据集成与模型集成的桥梁和纽带，数据通过这个桥梁传输给模型，模型对环境系统进行模拟和仿真。这些问题的解决有利于更好地在环境地学中应用地理信息系统。     

HKB—1型磁化率仪研制及计算机联机的实现

本文介绍了一种新研制的磁化率仪,它可测定自然界中大多数物质(良导体除外)的初始磁化率,特别适合于岩石的磁化率及其各向异性(AMS)测量。仪器工作磁场300A/m,频率920Hz,样机总磁化率测量灵敏度达到 2×10~(-12)m~3,读数采用数字显示方式并具有自动锁定功能。与计算机的联机采用了标准EIARS-232C串行接口,因此具有良好的通用性。在软件的控制下,计算机可自动完成测量数据的采集、计算处理、座标转换以及成图或存贮等工作,AMS参数的测量效率得到很大提高。